I picked up a Bezzera Family Lever while on a trip back to the UK, and have imported it back to Australia with me.
To export it, I had to disassemble the piston from the group head (luckily easy on this machine) to get it to fit in the boxes with enough space to give it some padding.
A good few months have passed, and I finally got it to Australia, and tonight tried to reassemble it.

First problem: I dropped the piston and there is a bit of a ding on its edge! Will this cause problems with operating the machine?
2nd problem: I put it back together to test if the damage had caused any problems. Filled her up, turned her, bled off the false pressure. Steam fine, water dispenser fine.

However when I tried to flush the group, nothing. As I know that they need the water to lubricate the piston, I stopped there as i didn't want to cause any more damage. I have now turned the machine off, and am waiting for it to cool down to see if I have a blockage somewhere.
There is a little screw on the grouphead on the boiler side (rather than the piston side) and if i unscrewed that slightly water dripped out of there.

Is the damage I caused to the piston going to be a major issue? And if so, could it be repaired, or should it be replaced?
And if i can't find a blockage in the passage to the group, any other ideas what I should look for?

A small dent shouldnt give issues I guess. Pictures!

Well I fixed one problem.

I took the piston out, and cleaned the pipe between the boiler and the group. Between that and realising I was being a bit too soft with the lever I now have water flowing.

I only have some dodgy beans at the moment, so will have to wait a few days before I can test out if the dent has had any effect on the espresso. I did try making a couple of espressos but I was also dialing in the grinder so the jury is out at the moment.

In the meantime, I will take it apart again tomorrow, and get some pics.

While I am thinking about this, I only have the single basket for the Family.

Can anyone suggest which double basket replacements would fit well in the machine.

I have been told that Pavoni doubles work well in the Sama club, so hopefully the same for the Bezzera?

I don't have the original PF for my vintage Bezzera Family but maybe an Elektra MCAL dbl. might work.

She seems to be working fine, so I am loathed to take her apart again.

Will report back after I have done some tests with nice beans instead of the rubbish I can buy here.

Still need pics.