Tomorrow I'm gonna go buy a compression tester along with a tube of gasket maker.
Initially my problem looked like a fuel issue like some have mentioned here but after giving it more thought I think if fuel flow was an issue then it would always be one. Not just for the first 3 or 4 pulls. Fuel flow seems to be just fine after that as the engine does not quit unless it's being bogged down by a heavier load such as in longer grass areas which I think can also be caused by poor compression.
So tomorrow if I get insufficient pr駸ure readings I will start by changing valve cover gasket and fuel intake gasket. Once that's out of the way and If I still have poor psi readings then this will tell me that it's either the valves, piston rings or both.
Now if psi readings are initially good then the other thing I could try is testing the coil with a spark tester to see if it's giving me good sparks on a regular basis....but honestly...I don't think the coil is bad. These solid state coils either work or they don't.
My wife keeps telling me to just buy a new mower and be done with it but at this point this little problem of mine has become some sort of challenge and I won't be happy till I've solved it