This is not exactly the most informative item I have ever read. Taken from the Engine Wire Harness Upgrade notice above.
should I just go ahead and upgrade the control panel wiring with the kit form Catalina? Maybe I get lucky and it solves my mystery electrical issue.
No, I don't think this is a wise move when dealing with your burned starter motor problem.
Maybe I get lucky and it solves my mystery electrical issue.
You're not in this to get lucky. You're going through this exercise to find out what is causing your starter motors to burn. The problem with the wiring harnesses is found in both Catalinas and Hunters. I experienced it. All of the problems dealt with poor conductivity. That is not your problem. You are looking for something which feeds power to your starter relay (solenoid) when it should not. It has nothing to do with your wiring harness unless the harness has an intermittent short in it.
You have been given some good ideas here to solve your starter problem and yet you continue to bounce back and forth between the ammeter gauge, the wiring harness, the pull starter and anything else that pops up and catches your eye. This is an intermittent problem which requires a logical approach and a good deal of time. Approach each possible solution and
complete its proof or fallacy before going on to the next possible solution.
Good luck. You definitely need it in large quantities.