starting problems 1hdt starter

No the contacts and plunger tacts in the main body, the solenoid has not been replaced. Tapping the soleniod does not make a difference so I was not going down that path as yet

The contacts looked to be the same (as much as you can make out from old worn ones) they fitted fine, starter was fine for months before the clicking started.

The plunger was been replaced with the contacts,

denmark

I am beginning to think the same

Going by memory, I think that most starters earth thru their brushes, and have come across a few that after replacing the contacts, have in time once again, gone back to clicking.
Bush fix was to file the brush holder so the wire could allow the brush to move a bit more, and it worked.

Soldering iron is required, brushes are pretty cheap, like the contacts.

Thats what I would be checking next before shelling out some large clams.

Trains