Help finding piston gaskets for a commercial vintage espresso machine

#1: Post by **maor** » February 13th, 2020, 7:45 am

Hello all,
I own a lever machine dated back from around 1960.
I want to purchase a set of V gaskets for the piston and having some difficulty finding them.
The local company that used to build these machines have no idea where to get the parts anymore.

Sizes are:
Inner diameter is 38mm
Height is 8mm.

I'm attaching some pictures and would appreciate any help!

#2: Post by **fredgab** » February 13th, 2020, 9:15 am

Hi,
the spring part and top look a lot like my brugnetti, which happens to be 38mm as well.

It look like it's a pretty standard fit, faema W and V gaskets.

I think those gaskets should fit.

https://www.ersatzteil-handel24.com/vis ... 16_FR.html

https://www.ersatzteil-handel24.com/fae ... 17_FR.html

cheers

fred

#3: Post by **Bluecold** » February 13th, 2020, 10:23 am

You can probably get away with a normal o ring. I've used normal viton orings in my caravel.

February 13th, 2020, 4:44 pm

fredgab wrote: I think those gaskets should fit.

https://www.ersatzteil-handel24.com/vis ... 16_FR.html

https://www.ersatzteil-handel24.com/fae ... 17_FR.html
fred

Are these two the same? Or do I need a different one for the middle shaft?

February 13th, 2020, 4:46 pm

Bluecold wrote:You can probably get away with a normal o ring. I've used normal viton orings in my caravel.

I can't tell if the originals were normal o rings since they're so worn out... but v should do a better job don't they?

#6: Post by **fredgab** » February 13th, 2020, 5:04 pm

maor wrote:Are these two the same? Or do I need a different one for the middle shaft?

Two different ones W (or X) for bottom and V for top (not sure about up or down now but could check)
I don't think you need 3 gaskets, I have two and a space in between as well. Don't think an O-Ring would work; you need the water filling the gasket to make a proper seal.

fred

#7: Post by **Bluecold** » February 13th, 2020, 5:16 pm

maor wrote:I can't tell if the originals were normal o rings since they're so worn out... but v should do a better job don't they?

Theoretically, orings aren't suitable for the low piston speeds of espresso machines, as you can get spiral failure.
In practice, I haven't noticed that in two years on my Caravel. I wouldn't hesitate to try some o rings if I would find it difficult to source new seals.

February 14th, 2020, 1:37 am

fredgab wrote: I don't think you need 3 gaskets, I have two and a space in between as well.

Thanks Fred, I think I took the middle one a part when working on it a few years ago. But now I question my memory...

Bluecold, I'll start with the v and if I'll have nothing to lose will go for the o's

Thanks, hope I'll manage to solve this, been lazy long enough with this project!

#9: Post by **drgary** » February 14th, 2020, 1:42 am

maor wrote:I can't tell if the originals were normal o rings since they're so worn out... but v should do a better job don't they?

Have you removed them? Can you show photos? Even if they're worn, you can probably see what they were.

Also I wonder if you have any badge or identifying markings on your machine, or measurements of the cylinder and the piston?

February 16th, 2020, 9:57 am

The gaskets seems perfectly stright.

There's nothing written on the cylinder itself, I think the company that built the machines bought the group heads from some other company abroad, but all I have is rumors...