OK folks, thanks for responding, these are good things to check. i will pull the valve cover and inspect the chain, check the coolant for oil, and check the oil for detritus.

no oil was lost. i checked it as soon as i stopped.

the motor mounts were new at the time of the swap. it's manual so i can rule out TC/trans pump issues.

what should i look at vis-a-vis the alternator and vacuum pump?

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.