If your lightweight race cowl rattles, fits loose, or you’re seeing moisture where it shouldn’t be, the seal between the pan and cowl is often the culprit. The Buckshot Racing #77 Mercury Race Cowl Seal replaces Mercury Racing OEM part numbers 8177121 and 817712003 and installs directly onto the pan edge, creating a continuous perimeter contact surface for the cowl to seat against.
This is the same style of solution that racers and performance boaters prefer because it features a push-on edge trim seal that securely grips the pan lip and can be cut to fit for a clean, complete wrap.
Our “Race Cowl Seal” is a flexible PVC edge trim designed to cover and protect the rough/sharp pan edge while also acting as the sealing interface between the cowl and pan. It uses internal aluminum metal clips plus a gripping tongue that helps it bite down on the pan lip and stay there through vibration, heat cycles, and repeated cowl removal.
That internal clip-and-tongue design is the reason this trim works so well on racing and lightweight cowls: it’s built for retention, not just appearance.
Built for Marine and Outdoor Exposure
Because outboards live in harsh conditions, this seal material matters. The trim is made from durable PVC suited for outdoor use and is designed to withstand moisture and sunlight while remaining flexible. It’s rated to resist temperatures from -20°F to +158°F, which covers the real-world range most performance outboards see in storage, transport, and use.
Why Racers Use This Style Seal on Lightweight Cowls
Lightweight and aftermarket racing cowls tend to transmit more vibration than heavy production cowls, and they can be less forgiving when the pan edge seal is worn or missing. A proper edge-trim style seal helps the cowl seat evenly around the pan and reduces the little fitment issues that turn into bigger annoyances—rattle, movement, and a cowl that never feels “locked in.”
Common Mercury / Mariner Racing Applications
This pan-to-cowl seal is commonly found on Mercury Marine, Mariner, and Mercury Racing outboard motors using lightweight or aftermarket racing cowls, including well-known performance and race platforms such as the 150, 200, 225 EFI Pro Max, Mariner Super Mag, Mercury Race S3000, SST-120, 300 Drag, 245, and 260 HP motors.
The best way to verify you’re ordering the right seal is by OEM number. If your parts list calls for 8177121 or 817712003, this is the correct replacement category.
7-Foot Section for a True 360° Install
Your seal ships in a seven (7) foot section, giving you the length needed to complete a full perimeter install. You simply cut to length and push it onto the pan edge for a clean 360-degree fit. That extra length is helpful on pans/cowls that have seen years of race use and may not install perfectly with a shorter piece.
Part Numbers
This product replaces Mercury Racing OEM part numbers 8177121 and 817712003 (6.79 Feet)
Contact Mike at 714-697-1716 or mike@buckshotracing77.com for technical support.