Re: Year and HP of my Mercury Classic Fifty
In 1986 Merc offered a new 3cyl 50hp motor... by doing so, the renamed their classic 4cyl 50hp motors as 45 hp motors for marketing purposes. The 4 cyl 50hp Merc was the same motor from 1980 through 1988, and essentially the same as the 4cyl motor going back to the early 60's, which is why they call it a "Classic" design.
Dunaruna is correct it shows up as a 1988 Merc 45hp , but in reality its a 50hp 4cyl Mercury just relabeled.