Did you ever get this one figured out?

As for the mechanical fuel pump......

"..replacement and plating off manual fuel pump as they couldn't find a replacement (said it was on national backorder)"

"(Your mechanic is pulling your leg if he says "the manual pump is on national backorder" )"

Yea I had to read that one three times..... you can buy them all day long at any Napa, Autozone, O'Reilly and so on, they might have to get it from the warehouse if it's not on the shelf but that shouldn't be more than next day depending on where you live. I just put one in my truck a few months ago.

I wouldn't let that mechanic work on my lawn mower.