I found other options for motors. One was from the same place that had that bone yard motor that wouldn't spark which worked great and was on a pretty solid mower overall but had a questionable transaxle and missing deck. I can still get that one (and the no-spark thrown in).
However, over the weekend I found another one an hour away that was the right motor and claimed it just needed a starter motor gear. I got it, but the starter was clearly toast. I put in my old motor's starter and it struggles to turn over the engine unless the plugs are pulled. I assume my old starter was getting weak so I ordered a new one but wondering if there is some reason the motor would refuse to spin that might make me scrap the thing? I ordered the starter from Amazon and can return. Hoping for a little advise since I'm not sure why it wouldn't spin up.