What a CRAZY week! I had hoped to begin the tear down of the Faema by now. But, looks like tomorrow will be the lucky day! Wish me luck!

Good luck with those alloy boiler rings!!

Being self employed, can sometimes be a blessing and a curse! I FINALLY squeezed an hour to start diassembly on the Ariete. It was AMAZING how nicely this thing came apart! No major problems, once the nut or fitting broke loose, it was fingers all the way! I put all pieces back together, as they came apart. I will post pics later today... Right now, I have to go set a glass block wall for a Walk in shower I just built. Not what I want to do on a Sat. (I should have been doing that as I type! ) Here is a teaser.

OK... Got that done... Now to more important things! First I took off the back and sides, Which was I might add, very nicely designed! Very easy to do. I might mention, I took a lot of pictures, So, hopefully, I wont forget how to put this thing back together! Next, I worked on the steam and water valves. Before I loosened them, I took my alen head wrench set and loosened the alen bolts that are visible from the front. Much easier that way! Again, After the nuts or bolts broke loose, they were finger able!!! Not what I expected! The water lines in this thing had CRAZY build up! Cant wait to clean them up! I am trying to figure out what is the best, fastest, way of cleaning the calcium and other mineral? I will have this thing fully apart soon, now that Ive started, From the outside, the boiler looks very clean. I hope the boiler bolts come apart like the rest of them. Here are some more pics! I did have one broken copper line, It will need to be replaced. Is this something OE would cary? Or, Will I Have to make my own? My guess is the latter. Any helpful tips? The grouphead came off amazingly easy. The gasket underneath was broken though, and it just fell off. Which saves me from scraping! After that, I drilled the rivets, and the face came right off! Very nice! I then ran out of time, and had to put it up for the day. (Work was getting in the way! ) I am very thankful for the mobile cart that I bought from a friend,---Thank you Kathlena!--- Everything fits very conveniently!
Now, Some thoughts... I am thinking about swapping it over to 110v. Vs. 220. My reasoning is simple. Much easier to hook up anywhere. Im thinking OE will be the place for that. Does anyone know production dates? I hope to figure out how old my new girlfriend is! (Yes, I have told friends that I have a new girlfriend named Faema, shes from Spain! ) I believe that my next step, after I have her apart is to give Faema a bath to take care of the mineral.More pics for your prying eyes!
Does anyone have a good recipe? As you see what I have going, any other helpful tips or thoughts to offer? I desire and appreciate your input!

I can't wait to see the finished machine. I can't wait to see the first shot too!

OK, here's a few hints to get you started, lots of threads on here on similar re-builds (faema lambro, Urania etc) for further info

De-scaling - Citric acid solution, 1-5 Tablespoons per 1 litre water.Small parts you can boil in it, which works fast, bigger parts (boiler etc) soak overnight or longer. Never use citric acid near anything chromed

Dates - May be stamped on boiler plate (test date), or if its still the original element, it may be stamped on element flange.

Broken pipe, you'll have to make one - Doug at Orphan espresso has pipe/fittings, but you'll have to shape/silver solder it.

Steam Valve - If its still the original valve it may be Left hand (reverse thread) on the chrome nut on the fromt of valve.For some reason they made water valve standard thread, steam valve reverse thread. Modern re-pro valves available are all RH thread i think

Boiler rings may be biggest challenge, i spent 2 days on mine, over time they fuse with the bolts and make removal very difficult.I used stainless bolts and anti-seize for re-assembly

Doug and Barb at OE, will be a big help with parts/info, but they're very busy at the moment building all those Pharos grinders

Kitt, THANK YOU! I just found out what month and year my Faema was born! May of 1974. I just went out with my latte and a scour pad and struck gold! Finding that out was the highlight of my week! One is always curious about these things! Does anyone know when they quit producing the Zodiac head group? or using it? Would they have just had an extra head lying around, and decided to use it? Im guessing not... Wow... I have a 1974 lever! Woo Hoo!
Also, Where would I get some of this cirtic acid solution? Home depot? I hope to find it local, so I can pick some up today. Do you know of a better way to spend a Sunday?

Citric acid powder is available in small quantities from the supermarket baking section, or larger quantities from bulk stores or home brew supply shops.