Friend had the top starter bolt fall out somewhere but made it home. Looked at the Jim Ellis site and it seemed like the 2000 1.6 AT had three bolts that were the same, so we took the bottom bolt out and got two new ones - not from the dealer because he wanted $12 and three-five days. So I crawled under, put the bottom one back in and started on the top. Was hard to get going but finally did. But it wouldn't snug up. About 2/8 before the cap would have been flush and an 1/8 gap between starter and block.

Do you suppose the top bolt is too long and the blots are not the same?

Or am I putting it back in from the wrong side if I'm doing it from the same side as the bottom bolt?

2000 Mazda Protege ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1600CC)

Pretty aggravating. Thanks for your help.

David