I wouldn't think the seat is a problem - if it's using oil, maybe your valve guides are worn and I think they may be built into the block and not replaceable.
Any time you have to engage the choke to keep it running , it's a fuel problem, start at the tank , fuel lines, filter, then fuel pump if there's one on that machine,,,,,,,then carburator. Post your results
Well it either fires or it doesn't even if it looks good , if you ground the end and spin the machine you should see a spark , if no spark it may be a coil problem. The plug does look in new condition but it would look like that if there's no fire also.
If your belt is in good condition and tight , might take a closer look at your clutch , you never know
Also look at the spindles and make sure there's no binding on any of them.
The clutch has electric engagement so pulling the connection off takes it out of play , if it still binds up the engine so it will not start,,,,,,,, either you have a battery or connection problem or possibly an engine problem.
It's possible the clutch is causing the problem but to be honest...
Pull the wires " connection " Off the clutch, Start your mower - this will eliminate the pto from your machine, if all goes well , let us know and we'll go forward from there, I've never seen a PTO locking up in all my previous mechanical issues. ----------- especially 2 times on the same...
Camshafts rarely wear out but it's possible no doubt, I've seen them with a " groove " worn into the hard surface which will effect the valve action - this would have to have a ton of hours to have happened, but today's quality control is iffy so nothing is off the table in this day and age...
Exhaust valves always have more clearance than the intake valves. The last one I did I think I set the intake at .006 and the exhaust at .010 - test compression after to see what you have
Pull off the cable connection at the carb- Move the throttle lever by hand until full throttle position, then move the throttle cable to Max speed then clamp down at that point, Now move throttle control and check for full travel , your new cable possibly doesn't have as much travel as your old...
Pull your plug and make sure the machine rolls over easily, if it dose not there is a mechanical issue with the crankshaft - con rod - valves etc.
If it does then look at your starter
Pull the starter and bench test it, clamp it down tight and put battery voltage on it , it should spin like crazy and almost jump off the bench if it's good.
Put a test light on your starter switch and make sure it's seeing 12 volts, then turn it to " On " and see where the 12volts show up on which terminal , this one would go to the kill solenoid at the carb, then move it to the start position and find out which terminal makes the test light come on...
Once you set your throttle to any position the governor should take over , you should be able to see the governor assembly floating back and forth to manage the machines speed, if it does not, it could overspeed and cause lots of problems and actually throw a rod and tear up your machine. If...
Sounds like your kill switch wire is shorted out to ground , chase it back to the ignition switch , pull it off there and test to ground I'm betting you find continuity to ground - if so just run a new wire and you should be ok
How long have you had this machine ? You should be able to tell if the idler pully is not there, All decks have an idler pully to keep tension on the deck belt , it also should " Float " freely to allow a little play.
I would swap the switch out with another and see if the problem goes away, the internals of the switch can't be cleaned if they get corroded , it sounds like yours is Wonky
Jump 12 volts to the small terminal on the solenoid where the starting circuit ties in from the ignition switch , if it engages the solenoid then you have a bad ignition switch or wire in that circuit
I've rebuilt a number of them , not sure what " plastic " he's talking about unless it's the bearing seal
I've gotten complete spindle housings from amazon a few times with good results,
If you get the nut removed you can knock the bearing out and get a number off them and order replacement...
You'll need a test light or volt meter before going any further, see if there is 12 volts at battery terminals , one side of solenoid should have 12 volts for starters then check for voltage at the starter switch
I ran into one of these auto choke setups and couldn't find a replacement, I added a Primer bulb to shoot a bit of fuel into the carb and it starts easily with out a choke , next time you try and start it squirt some starting fluid into the air intake and see if it starts up for you. It sounds...
Well then it's a safety switch, There are several to look at,
Seat
Clutch engagement
Brake for starters but looking at your pics - you'll need to chase down the mating wires for those 2 red guys - these will be on the opposite plug so find out where they go first and should get you going in...
Coils can stop working after getting hot ,sorta rare but happens sometime , when it happens again , see if there is still a spark at the plug , if not it's probably the coil