Make sure to put a new impeller in it before starting the old impeller that is in it now needs replacing. The impeller is the part that pumps water thru engine to keep it cool. I get most my parts from marineengine.com I buy OMC/BRP when available I only by sierra when I can’t get them. Here is a link to your motor parts using them.

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johns … odel=JW-17

I have a 1952 3hp like yours it was my uncles he purchased new in 1952. He and his brother used it for duck hunting up in Maryland to build their Duck Blind. Here is a video of it running. I painted it because it had been run in brackish water its entire life and I paint most my older motors with the cammo skem even my boston whaler is with an orange bimini. This video is when my engine had points and condensers and the old plug wires still. It now runs with no points or condensers using 2 electronic modules I built myself using info that member debe came up with. I am currently working on a parts list with how-to pictures for the 2 cylinder 2 stroke OMC engine that I will post later this summer which should allow a person to build them for about 2 dollars per unit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOs-fzbAezk

Info on the modules and my testing can be read about here.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1050&p=66786#p66786

I hope that helps,

Joe

ps most likely a low hour engine since the coils are all cracked up which also tells you the impeller is also bad. Carb should also be gone thru carb kits should still be available or at least the parts you need. The new gas eats away at glue that was used on the original cork float in carb so new float in carb is a good idea also. I think mine has a cork float can’t remember off hand. New needle valve packing washers should also be put in carb both on the low speed needle and high speed needle that will help in fine-tuning motor. I would also use new condensers the old points most likley will clean up and can be better than new ones sold now in my humble opinion. New spark plug wire also helped my engine a lot I put it on later and it made a big difference. I see that marine engine sells it by the foot.