1986 Dodge Diplomat S.E. from North America - Comments

I have an 86 diplomat, no vinyl top. It had a blown 318, with a torque-flight 3 speed, which was why it was only $100. I dropped in 383 big block from a '68 polara (beefed up the front suspension, removed inner fenders) and put in a 4-speed w/hydraulic clutch. She'll now do high 10s on the track.

My 1987 Diplomat SE has held up great. It looks really great if it is treated well and if it is not pushed to hard, it will run great.

I bought (for $1) a 1987 Dodge Diplomat SE - from (you guessed it) a little old lady who drove it to church. It only has 80,000 miles on it and is CHERRY! White with red vinyl top and perfect red interior. I am hoping to sell it when I get the title back from DMV as it is way too big for me. My question - I noticed that, for the first 15 minutes of driving, it seems to hesitate before shifting into 2nd and again into 3rd. After it warms up, it stops that. Maybe I'm pressing too hard on the gas as I'm used to a little Honda with zip - or am I looking at transmission trouble and in the near future?

My 2nd question: my mechanic says it is worth $2000 (in California anyway). Is this way too much?

To 8:44, I would say that the shifting is a little sluggish because after so many years, it probably needs the transmission fluid and filter changed. If it hasn't been driven much, and has been sitting a lot, it might be a little slow to engage. It could also need some transmission fluid -- check the level on the transmission dipstick when the car is idling hot in neutral. Also, it's best to let an automatic transmission warm up in neutral for a few moments to get the fluid circulating and up to operating temperature.

Remember that the V-8 has different characteristics than your Honda. The V-8 probably runs at much lower rpm's (most driving in the 1,200-2,200 rpm range) and has more torque, but that in the 1980's, V-8's were strangled with emissions controls so they don't rev up and develop a lot of horsepower -- probably only about 150 hp in the case of this 318. Still a good engine, though, and if you were going to keep it, there is a lot you could do to wake it up. The gearing is also most likely set up for highway cruising to get better mileage, so with a high gear ratio, you won't feel as much snap in street driving unless you shift manually to get the engine revved up. Sounds like a nice car.

I am 16 years old. My dad has had the Dip for me since I was born, and now that I can drive it, I love it. It's a good car and I can fit a lot of friends in. Anyone else have a pic of their car? I would like to see it. Email me at rftmoon@hotmail.com

I just aquired a cherry 86 Diplomat SE, She's beige with a light brown vinyl top. The 318 engine runs and starts like a champion at cold temperatures. Anyone who knows this car I need some help. At cruising speeds (55-70 mph) the engine starts to "surge" I can only imagine it has something to do with that incredibly pain in the ass emmissions reducing systems Dodge was forced to put into these big dogs. My questions is which piece to I look at first. I haven't seen so many freaking solinoids in my life!

Thanks

Jim

jimmytuba@hotmail.com.

I'm thinking that if it's surging at highway speed, it's leaning out in those occasions. Maybe it's a vacuum leak? I can't remember if the 318 was carb or FI in 86, but if it's a carb then it's probably got a slightly modernized version of the Lean Burn emmissions control system. They can be a tempermental beast to manage when they start to go wrong. You should check out www.allpar.com and sign up for the forums there. There's lots of highly knowledgeable people there who will be better able to help you determine what's going on with your engine.

To address the surging, you should also try changing the fuel filter (or filters). It's simple and cheap, and if it's clogged it could be causing a flow restriction. Also check the fuel pump for proper pressure, and check the crankcase to see if fuel is leaking in, which could denote a bad pump.

No doubt about it, those old Diplomats look good. I use to own one an SE model; it was an 84, one of the first with the turn signals above the headlights. I saw one the other day and it brought back memories of (I am now feeling old) almost a quarter century ago, and it's only now that I appreciate the styling of them old mopars.

Actually only the Diplomat SE models had the signal lights above the headlights (like the Chrysler Fifth Avenue). The base model Diplomat, and all Plymouth Fury versions, had the signal lights below the headlights. I preferred the latter, plus the SE models almost always had tacky vinyl tops, which only look good on 1960's era hardtop body styles.

The comment before, you stated he had the SE model with the turn signals above the headlights, as did the m body New Yorker.

These cars are not worthless. Look at:

stealthbomber: http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/projectbuild/mopp_070522_1989_dodge_diplomat/index.html

Marks 360 5th ave: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2205449.

Stock cop car burnout: www.truveo.com/Dodge-Diplomat-police-car/id/1353607508

Check out dippy.org.

I have one, want to turn it into a track car, it's an 87 ex-undercover cop car.

"The comment before, you stated he had the SE model with the turn signals above the headlights, as did the m body New Yorker."

Yeah, the SE Diplomat and the Fifth Avenue had the turn signals above the headlights. The Diplomat Salon (base model) and the Gran Fury had the turn signals below the headlights.

Anyone remember the 1980-81 Chrysler Le Baron. It was the first M body with that FRONT END style and then came the New Yorker, Fifth Avenue and then the Diplomat SE. Must be the last non posers working man's V8 RWD cars ever made. BRING THEM BACK AND JUMP START THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

Well plenty of the Chevy Caprices and Ford Crown Vics made through the early 1990s were still pretty unpretentious working-man V8 sedans.

All gone now and they will most certainly never be coming back. Not only are those companies being gradually eliminated, what's more important is that standard of living of American workers is being reduced. The future is all Mercedes limousines and public transport, my friends.