I just finished refurbishing a 1979 La Pavoni.

I'm replace nearly every part. Including the safety valve, spring and mushroom thingy. Once the machine is warmed up, it is continuously releasing steam on both low and high setting. Is that normal? I understand on high, but should it also be doing it on low?

On the older la pavonis the only way that pressure is released from the machine is via that valve, only on newer models or professional versions where there is a pressure stat will there be no steam from that valve. It will gently secrete steam on the single switch, once up to temp and not going to be used for a while just switch it off.

Thanks. On low it seems to read just under .5 bar. On high it goes all the way up to 1.5 before the safety valve blows. Seem correct?

I've read ideally pressure should be around .75-.85 bar to pull a shot?

With the old pavonis u can surf the temperature, I do the same with the new ones, but those need to be turned off, the old ones can never idled low, then turn high and pull the shot when it is the temp u want.