StarTech
Lawn Royalty
It appears this MTD mower used the Briggs 31/33 CI engine and the ACR can fail at anytime. I have nearly new engines with them broke and also seen over 10 yr old engine that never have a problem with the ACR.
I do agree that is sounds like the OP has multiple problems and the camshaft is just one of them.
I do agree that is sounds like the OP has multiple problems and the camshaft is just one of them.