Did not see where you tried to adjust the valves lash to minimum specs BEFORE you took it apart? (especially the intake valves)
ended up putting in a new cam with the compression release..
runs like a champ now..
one very odd thing though, the valves coming out of adj, or the cam wearing a bit ( this mower is old )
over time will increase the compression.. my friend said it was getting harder and harder to start.
when i put it all back together.. it sounded great cranking over, but wouldnt start.
I checked spark and it was good.. has awesome compression. sprayed carb clean in the carb and nothing.
my buddy noticed sparks under the flywheel cover when it was cranking..
i found the starter was really loose and it was obviously causing a flaky ground which is why it was sparking. so i tightened up the mounting bracket bolts and then it fired right up.. very odd, the starter bracket should have had no effect on starting. maybe just coincidence..