HOT WIRING!!!!

[kevtherev]

Did you clean the starter contacts?
Is the braid ok on the starter?
Is the bush worn in the bell housing
Your symptoms suggest an issue with them

[itchyfeet]

you forgot to mention you told me you replaced the crimp on the trigger wire, but the wire was black so this could still be causing low voltage.

I suspect this is the main thing that improved it as you said it was very much better after doing this, but all the other changes done after seem to have made little difference.