Chasing a starting problem

That dang LUV truck did the same thing. I started parking on the hill side of the lot at work so I could coast out and pop the clutch to start it if necessary. One day I could start it a work and drive 1/8 mile down the hill to the Red Diamond station, pump some gas, and the bugger wouldn't start again. Pouring down rain too. Raised the hood, banged on the starter with a length of pipe, jumped in, tried the switch. Did this a few times before it would start. Then it would continue to start for a day or 2. Heat wasn't a factor. Just a aggravating POS starter.