Gears on the Fiat Spider

[flopez]

I have a fiat spider 1981 and the 4th gear does not work every time I try to used it makes a sound so instead I go to fifth gear I don't want to damage the transmission but besides that and the over heating the car is good Please I need some help summer is coming and I don't have a car

[2ndwind]

Flopez,

1981 gear ratios:
1st 3.667:1
2nd 2.100:1
3rd 1.361:1
4th 1.000:1
5th 0.881:1
The gear ratio difference between 4th and 5th is relatively small. In fact, it is the smallest difference between any of the gears. I wish 5th gear was a little more like 0.800:1 or so. I frequently rev out third a little farther and go straight to 5th.
No harm done unless you are ...

Overheating. Three major culprits here.
#1 The fan operation: check that fan comes on at a little over 190 degrees. If not, hook it up directly to 12volts and make sure it works. If so, check/replace the sending unit at the bottom left of the radiator (had to replace mine).
#2 If you replaced the cooling fluid before this overheating started, Jack the front of the car up a mile allowing bubbles to escape, top off coolant.
#3 Thermostat may not be opening-replace and follow #2.

[flopez]

thank you 2ndwind for you time and experience in the manner I will follow yo instructions and will try to fix the problem but i didnt say the all story I change the water pump, the thermostat and flush the radiator thinking that is going to fix the problem but instead it become worst since i was changing all of that i decided to change the time bell thanks god the time bell problem is it fix it took me 2 weeks to figure out i dont have that much experience with cars and with the help all you and other guys Im staring to understand just little but thank you for help

[flopez]

thank you 2ndwind for you time and experience in the manner I will follow yo instructions and will try to fix the problem but i didnt say the all story I change the water pump, the thermostat and flush the radiator thinking that is going to fix the problem but instead it become worst since i was changing all of that i decided to change the time bell thanks god the time bell problem is it fix it took me 2 weeks to figure out i dont have that much experience with cars and with the help all you and other guys Im staring to understand just little but thank you for help

[adrians]

Also check that the Thermostat isn't on backwords/upside down. Do a search for the 'fitting of the Thermostat'

Regards & Welcome to the forum.

[flopez]

Thanks adrian you were right