When you’re rigging or rebuilding a Mercury Racing 3.0 Liter Sportmaster, fasteners aren’t just hardware—they’re durabiltiy.
The 17-piece Titanium Stud Kit from Buckshot Racing #77 is designed for high-load marine applications, providing a lighter, stronger, and more service-friendly solution than traditional stainless or alloy hardware.
This kit is designed to replace and upgrade the factory-style stud/washer/nylock stack commonly referenced by Mercury OEM part numbers M12 x 65 Stud - 848843 (superseded to 8M0045821), Washer - 4002321, and Nylock Nut 896895.
Our updated kit is 17 pieces total, and it includes the Allen wrench so you can install the studs cleanly without hunting for the right tool mid-build.
What this kit replaces on the Mercury 3.0L Sportmaster
This stud kit is intended as a direct upgrade path for the commonly replaced OEM hardware set used on Sportmaster applications. If your parts list or service notes call out:
4 x Studs: 848843 (superseded to 8M0045821)
4 x Washers: 4002321
4 x Nylock nuts: 896895
Aerospace-grade Ti-6Al-4V titanium for strength without the weight
At the core of the kit is Ti-6Al-4V titanium, an aerospace-grade alloy widely used in aerospace and top-level motorsports where weight reduction and structural integrity matter. Compared to stainless steel, titanium delivers about a 45% weight reduction, and it’s roughly 55% lighter than alloy steel.
Even with that reduced weight, it can provide about 30% greater strength than stainless steel, helping the studs handle extreme stress loads common in performance and racing outboard environments.
The payoff is simple: reduced weight where it counts, with strength that holds up under repeated heat cycles, vibration, and high-load use.
Mercury Outboard Model Fitment for the M12 x 65 Stud
Fits a wide range of Mercury performance V6 outboards, including 300 (3.0L EFI) Super Magnum, 300 (3.0L EFI) Pro Max, 300X (3.0L EFI) Pro Max, 225 HP XS 6-cyl (2.5L), 2.5XS (2.5L), 225 HP Sport XS 6-cyl (3.0L) and 225 HP Sport XS 6-cyl (2.5L), 250 HP XS 6-cyl (3.0L), 250 HP Sport XS 6-cyl (2.5L), and 300 HP XS 6-cyl (3.2L).
Faster installs and rebuilds with the included Allen wrench
Serviceability matters when you’re working around tight clearances. These studs are designed with a broached US SAE 5/32-inch hex key head, which means installation and removal is straightforward using a standard 5/32" Allen wrench.
Our kit now includes the wrench, helping reduce rebuild time and making installation easier on your hands—especially when you’re doing repeated service work.
Burnt Blue PVD coating for marine durability and torque consistency
Marine performance hardware lives in a harsh world: salt exposure, moisture, heat, and constant stress. To handle it, each titanium stud receives a Burnt Blue PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating.
This advanced surface treatment is known for high hardness (2000–3000 HV) and strong resistance to wear and corrosion. The coating is ultra-thin (commonly 0.5–5 microns), which helps preserve fit while improving surface durability.
A low friction coefficient (as low as 0.1) also supports smoother, more consistent torque application while minimizing thread wear over time—especially valuable on engines that get torn down and serviced regularly.
OEM cost comparison vs. the Buckshot Racing #77 kit
If you price the OEM pieces individually using the values below, the total adds up fast:
The four studs (848843 superseded to 8M0045821) at $32.04 each come to $128.16. The four washers (4002321) at $1.80 each come to $7.20. The four stainless Nylock nuts (896895) at $2.99 each come to $11.96. That puts the OEM hardware total at $147.32.
Our 17-piece kit is $60 and includes the Allen wrench, which is a difference of $87.32 compared to purchasing those OEM pieces individually at the prices listed.
Installation notes that help prevent problems
Because you’re working with critical clamping hardware, thread condition and correct procedure matter.
Always confirm your threads are clean, start studs by hand to avoid cross-threading, and follow the correct tightening steps for your exact setup.
The included Allen tool makes it easier to seat and remove studs cleanly, and the PVD-coated titanium surface helps maintain consistent engagement over time.
Contact Mike at 714-697-1716 or mike@buckshotracing77.com for technical support.