I have a Europiccola machine that I've used daily for over 25 years, the sight glass has been leaking for quite a while and has rusted the base. I'm wanting to remove the base and repaint it. I have the boiler assy dissembled and going to replace the gaskets and sight glass while I'm at it. The heating element was a ball of lime so I have it soaking in a mild acid solution. But the problem is I can't remove the ring from the boiler. Ive tried PB Blaster and a hammer and punch while holding it in a large vice, tried heating it with a acc. torch and it won't budge. The threads on the boiler look OK. Is there a wrench/ socket that is available to remove the flange. I don't want to get to aggressive and break off one of the ears that the heating element screws into. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sounds like youre doing all the right things. I believe there is a factory tool but the soaking with a penetrant and a hammer is quite effective. Let it sit overnight.

Go easy, make sure youre going the proper direction, and alternate between the 3 ears when youre tapping

This will help quite a bit:

http://www.orphanespresso.com/PavoniRiv..._1660.html

I have it and it makes installing and removing that threaded collar/ring on the bottom of the boiler a snap

Ray