pull cord

If I remove this bolt to take the pull start out will it unwind and be a mess. I was thinking of putting it in the original housing.

I would love to adjust the pull cord rewind starter so the cord pulls from the back side of the engine. Does anyone know if that is possible? Are the holes on the case symmetrical? If I rotate it counterclockwise 45 degrees will it affect the function? As it is, the cord comes out on the front...