Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): slight camshaft [bump]onintake valve function

Question
have 7.4 year old Tecumseh 5.5 hp on a yardman snowthrower.
after nearly 8 years of use the power and compression went way down.
 pulled the flathead head.ground and seated exhaust valve  at10 thousaands clearance. no problem there.
exhaust valve had to grind shorter for clearance.
 then ground intake valve for .010 clearance.so far so good.
noticed about half way up the intake valve lifted very slightly for I would say about 5 degrees crank turn in the middle of the upward compression stroke..I ended up having to grind valve clearance to .030 to get rid of this glitch

Answer
That pump you saw was most likely the compression release.  All small engines have a compression release and almost all lawn/power equipment use a mechanical compression release as part of the cam lobe grind.  There have only been a few engines that used a secondary device, usually mounted on the cam, as a compression release.

What is engine model and spec number?  Will the engine still start?

Eric