Pre red plug Simplex controls to red plug motor?

[matt167]

I have a 1966 RD-28 40hp on my 1966ish Starcraft Holiday 14 OB. Runs great but I discovered it needs lower unit seals ( ordered ).. It did get me thinking on, the what if something happened to it and it needed serious repair.. I have a spare 1988 Johnson 20hp which is ready to go, other than I might have to clean the carb now.. In the event that happens, I want to be able to hang it on the transom and go boating.. Is there an adapter harness to make the boats wiring harness plug into the red plug? As I understand the red plug was introduced in 1973. This boat has a built in key switch and a Simplex control box. It's not as easy to just swap controls as the big red plug harness that I have, and it's control box are too short

 

[F_R]

I think you would have to cobble something like that yourself.

 

[matt167]

That's what I was thinking, but I didn't know if OMC ever had an adapter harness or has an adapter harness like they have for the Red plug motor to black plug controls or vice verse adapter harnesses

Did the motors prior to 1973 have any single point disconnect from the harness? Mine has multiple connectors under the hood for the starter, choke and the warning system "( HOT" light )... I mean I really hope the 40hp runs for a long time, but I don't want a ruined season if something happens, especially when I have a nice 20hp which would be 'adaquate'.. I wonder if I could find the harness side of those connectors. A cut off or damaged harness with the red plug and those connectors are all that I should need, with a diagram for the red plug of course