"The exact year it was made an
"The exact year it was made and what it was sold as really don't have alot to do with each other.
That particular motor came off the assembly line sometime in 1997, but could have been sold as a "NEW" current year model all the way up to 2005.
Unfortunately, that is simply a production number that contains no information in and of itself - so if "SOME GUY" told you it's a 60 horse, you have to take their word for it, of investigate it on your own. Casting numbers on the carb(s) is the best way to confirm the horsepower of a Merc or Merc/Mariner...."