Another problem with easystart can be a broken arm or wrist, or worse. The engine 'detonating' before it will go over TDC can send the starting handle round the wrong way PDQ.
Regarding the cracks in the water jacket: get them repaired, or repair them, if the Listard cylinder lining is good. Many running listers have been frost damaged and repaired.
Find the ends of the cracks (crack test methods) and drill a small holes to prevent propagation and weld it, taking all the due care that welding cast iron requires. Some simply gouge it out along the crack, with an angle grinder, and repair with a suitable filler. On some egines cracks are sealed by the addition of a multi-screwed, gasketed plate to cover the damage.
Of course, they don't get frost damage in Canada - they know it is going to freeze hard and always use antifreeze!
Apart from that, as the others have posted.
Regards, RAB