Good job on gettin git done!
No sympathy on using jackstands. That's all I've ever had. Drive up on some 2x10 or 2 x12s if need more height.
educational opportunity: The only ground connection on a starter is it's housing contacting the transmission.
LL: use a very small wrench on those tiny studs! 'Ignition wrench' if you have one. Its one thing I don't like about the mini starter.
However there are various adapters for those starters.