This is the master thread for my restoration of a 1993 Elektra T3. I'll try to include major updates in the first post. But major updates won't really come for a couple of months. In the meantime this is more of a discussion of what needs to be done and collecting useful information, hopefully useful for anyone else in the future! There already are some great resources posted below, thank you for those!

Updated with my own pics:
Elektra T3, 1993 model year

Gauge is gone.
Interior isn't too bad:


This looks new-ish

No hope for the hot water tap? I know the pre 1997 is available, I wonder if post '97 is better.


I'll have to completely disassemble it. Clean everything. I may re-chrome everything. New wood fixtures. Possibly new wiring. Needs a new pump I'm told, not sure if that includes the motor too. I'd also like to do some modifications.

Well this should be fun, but I can't start on it until later this year, after July, I have a bar exam to study for which I really should get back to now!

-Update: Portafilters are soaking in Cafiza, they were really dirty but coming out nice. Will probably replace the handles with wood if I think the rest is worth saving. The baskets look to be in good shape, I doubt they were removed for cleaning often from the looks of it.

Beautiful machine. Elektra makes some great looking stuff. Enjoy the restoration.

As usual for older Elektra the concerns are:
dose pads make sure they work (expensive)
old style valve body (no longer available)
everything else is just question of time and $$$$$$
doesn't look too bad, ( I can see a broke gauge) but what's inside the boiler???? how bad is the scale?

the tag should tell you the year of production,
I have a full restored one that I use for loaner for my commercial customers that is exactly like yours a 2gr deliziosa compatta and it is a good working machine, doesn't perform as powerful as a full size 2 group but good enough, (depends on your goal of course)

looks like somebody not long ago put a new pressurestat,
as a beginning look inside the boiler (remove the heating element so you have a clear view) and go from there

Everman wrote:I just found an Elektra in need of a lot of work, something I've been looking for for a long time, this looks like the one. I know some of you guys have done big restorations and have Elektra experience, I think Cannonfodder has an A3. So I'm just wondering what I'm in for here. I have experience modding machines and doing my own repairs, and there's a guy locally who can do anything I truly can't.

Hey Everman,
If it's cool... mind sharing where you picked it up?

Can't wait to see the process. I naturally have a love for Elektras.

OO

As long as the HX isn't ruptured (by say freezing water) then you can likely fix it up. There are various Elektra threads which may be of help, along with a number of that have gone down this path (although I don't remember any other 2-group restores).

Elektra T1 - # 759 built in 1999 is now mine

Elektra T1 - another one joining the Elektra gang

And my T1 Rebuild story:
Elektra T1 - #771 built in 2000 is now mine

I found Stefano to be a great help and I ordered a ton of parts from him. He steered me right in a number of situations.

Mark

That thing is sweet! I'll definitely be following your restoration intently, post lots of pics!

As Stefano points out, the gauge is shot but that is an easy replacement. The new Elektra gauges are silver backed so it blends in the the stainless. Looks like the pressurestat was replaced along with one solenoid from the looks of it. The one thing that worries me is the water tap. That wand is drooping. If the guts are worn out and need replaced, you cannot since they have not made that valve assembly for some time. I would take the caps off the heat exchanger to see what the inside looks like. Other than a new gauge hopefully all it needs is a descale and rub down to clean it up and you are in business.

doubleOsoul wrote:Hey Everman,
If it's cool... mind sharing where you picked it up?

Can't wait to see the process. I naturally have a love for Elektras.

OO

I found it on Craigslist, I had some automatic searches looking out for a project build.

mhoy wrote:As long as the HX isn't ruptured (by say freezing water) then you can likely fix it up. There are various Elektra threads which may be of help, along with a number of that have gone down this path (although I don't remember any other 2-group restores).

No possibility of it rupturing by freezing here in San Diego

mute wrote:That thing is sweet! I'll definitely be following your restoration intently, post lots of pics!

I just picked it up today and it looks pretty good, I'll get some pics posted tomorrow.
I'm pretty sure the motor is shot from what it sounds like, but who knows. I won't be able to test anything until I'm done with my studies in August. But I'll probably do some cleaning here and there. And probably get some polishing compound, look into re-chroming the group heads. Of course disassemble and soak it in citric acid.

I know there's a ton of info out there on these machines and it looks like I can get parts from various on-line sources and a local guy.

Should be a great project with cool result! Any ideas on some "enhancements /mods"? Not sure if a PID is worth it but maybe I'll do a group temp probe.

I picked up a number of the parts for doing a PID, but never got around to it. It just continues to work so well, I saw no need to modify mine. Besides, the downtime of not having it running would be a serious issue, we've grown very dependent on morning espressos/lattes.

I have a thermocouple in the head but rarely connect it.

Mark

Any idea on removing the front plate with all of the machine info on it? I'd rather just have a nice clean look. I think I'll explore having having some etching done, I have an idea but not sure how to explain it, I'll find an example tomorrow.