All fixed up. Needed an idler pulley replaced, one of the "lips" had been chewed off. Also had a couple of support arms missing from the deck, got new ones ordered and put on. Ordered up a two mulching gator blades, too. And also a mulching "cap" thing that blocks the outlet of the deck.
This thing will now start right up at the blip of the key, even without choke engaged. It runs at slow medium and high throttle speeds perfectly, and the deck is operating smooth as butter.
Thanks all for the help and suggestions!!