Its all fixed now.
After all the rebuilding, the "MAIN" issue was the carb primer was not working, thus it wouldn't start. I put in a "kit" of primer parts, it primes well now, and it starts easy when cold. I did take another compression reading after the mower had been setting for four days, and I got about 68 lbs max, after several pulls, so I am within spec. (D-400 engines are supposed to have min. of 65 lbs).