I'm not 100% sure how this works because it's an HX, but the group appears to be bolted directly to the boiler. I think there is a line from the pump to the HX inlet? I'm a little confused as how the system works.

I'm a little confused as how the system works.

In that case, your first step should be to visit the Rancilio site and download any and all manuals available for your machine.

http://www.rancilio.com/rancilio/download_page.jsp?flag=2&id_cat=24&id_subcat=84&id_language=3

Is there a waterflow datasheet? I saw electrical etc. Will check, since I didn't realize that solenoids had a direction when I was taking the machine apart.

Be the water grasshopper. No, really, be the water.

Just follow the tubing from the supply line side of the pump. Basically, you have the input into the pump, output from the pump to a T with one line having a solenoid that controls the water to boiler for auto fill. There will also be a pressure release T somewhere that dumps to the drip tray. Just in case you put 12 bars of pressure into the hydraulics, that expansion valve will open to vent the excess pressure instead of the machine exploding. The solenoid will have a line that goes to the boiler to fill it with water. The other side of the T continues to the bottom of the heat exchanger to feed the brew group. Somewhere between that pump output and the boiler/group solenoid you just cut the pipe, put in a T and run an extra line to a pressure gauge. Now keep in mind, it is easy, but your tubing is metric so you cannot go to the local hardware store and get copper compression fittings. Finding the metric parts is the hard part.

The solonoids will have a small arrow on them designating the direction of water flow. Hope you have lots, and lots of photos while you took it apart.

Update: Everything has been taken apart and cleaned. I've also re-assembled most of the valves etc. It took me forever to remove the old boiler gasket. It's still not 100% clean. Will have to do some steel wool work.

I also cannot for the life of me open up the water outlet. It's impossibly tight, and there is nothing to grip on. I'm not 100% sure it's ever going to open up really.

I'm also kind of stuck with a very banged up steam wand. Clearly cleaned with steel wool or something. But I don't know if I'm going to get access to chrome plating, which sound fairly expensive. But I imagine this affects the resale value.

I also can't get the HX off. I did flush it with a lot of acid, and I might do it again. But at this point I'd have to make a jig and I'd be risking damaging it. So that's not 100% worthwhile. I don't think it will leak so that's good.

I also discovered that the pressure gauge doesn't appear to work. At least when you're blowing on it like a balloon (it should budge a little right?). So I might have to buy another one, which is unfortunate since I already did my order which cost ~60$ to ship. So hopefully I will be able to find a cheap replacement.

Next step is blasting the frame, centering all my custom panels, and then assembling the boiler. Slowest step because the only sand blaster I have access to is out of town.

Things I didn't Realize: I didn't realize that I would need to configure the OPV and pump on the machine. So I will likely need a way to check what pressure the machine is pumping at.

Are there any recommendations in regards to what order to do this in? I can possibly assume that the pump settings are fine since I never touched the control screw on it. The OPV I took apart totally so I have no clue on what setting to put that on.

Will have to try and make a cheap pressure gauge.

Annoyance : The little bushings the join onto the flow-meter appear to have a direction! I definitely didn't notice that or record it either. But there is a narrow-end and a wide-end. Does anyone know what direction to put the damn things in?

Big update. Painted the frame, modded the frame for the new exterior panels. Everything is back inside the chassis. Will be testing it in days to come.

Nice work!

Looks really nice. Did you take my "idea" to polish the stainless steel with steel wool or did you do it another way? ^^

600 grit sand paper!

I have finally completed the project. I currently can't plumb it in, but I now have a working S27. I had to re-purpose a Apple G5 Computer case to make it happen.

I also had to sand down the steam and water outlet until it was shiny brass. I didn't have the money to replace them, and they were pretty badly damaged.

Hopefully I will pull some shots soon