Giotto: Head Gasket Size

by **thomgonzales** on Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:16 am

It's time for annual maintenance: replacement of filters and head gasket. (I'll descale and flush with Joe Glo as well, but that gets done more regularly.)

To my question: I've read that the Rocket Espresso Giotto does not have "the" standard E61. Does anyone know the proper size head gasket? Last year, I used the 8.5mm gasket and it worked but was very, very hard to seat. Before using the 8.5mm again, I wanted to check if there is a better size before ordering.

Thanks in advance for your help.

by HB on Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:28 am

Recent thread Proper Gasket for Rocket Cellini cites 8.0mm as the right size:

Al deHyde wrote:The dimensions of the gasket currently in place on my machine is 73mm(OD)x57mm(ID)x8mm(thick). Fits perfectly. The printing, on the beveled side, must face up, toward the group.

If you use a thicker gasket on a fairly new machine (say, 8½mm) your portafilter handle will aim towards 7 or 8 o'clock. Thicker gaskets are useful when your portafilter ears etc become worn and you need a thicker gasket (8½ or 9mm, progressively).

I assume the Rocket line of E61s use the same gasket.

by **stefano65** on Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:28 am

if you are talking about thickness
there are 3 options
8
8.5
9 mm
some manufactures have different "miscela" of rubber (compound) so some might be harder then others
to go inside the groove

by **thomgonzales** on Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:03 pm

For those replacing Giotto head gaskets, below follows Rocket Espresso's recommendation, which worked pretty much perfectly for me:

Dear Tom

Generally you need an 8MM head gasket seal unless the group or the porta filter have some wear then the 8.5MM may be needed

1. Heat the seal in hot water

2. Fit the seal to the shower foil. Make sure that the chamfered side of the seal is on the top side. Generally the seal will have writing or a number stamped on one face. This face is the TOP face of the seal not the bottom face

3. Fit the shower foil and seal into the portafilter and then put the portafilter into the machine much as you would when making a coffee. This will seat the seal and the job will be complete!!!

Regards

Andrew Meo

Andrew Meo
Rocket Espresso Limited
Milano, Italy

Dan, you were exactly right. Espresso Parts' 73 x 57 x 8mm seemed to fit easily and well, maybe a tiny, tiny bit too thin. The portfilter handle points a bit early (5:30 rather than 6:00). For reference, Espresso Parts' Invoice said Con_72 (Conti Group Head Gasket) and cost $6.04.


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