Base and Manifold Casting of the Atlantic “Make-and-Break” Marine Engine

Abstract

The Atlantic Marine Engine, manufactured by the Lunenburg Foundry in Nova Scotia, was a revolutionary two stroke combustion engine that transformed the fishing industry on the east coast in the early 20th century. A replica project of this engine was initiated in 2016 in Pappalardo Lab at MIT by a group of students using modern machining and modeling techniques to understand how parts for this particular engine were cast more than 100 years ago. Students have been fabricating parts for the engine ever since, and as of Fall 2022, three components were left to complete. This thesis covers the casting and machining of two of these three parts: the upper base and the manifold. This thesis will explain how the patterns and cores were made, pour orientations, and machining techniques.