You will eventually want to replace the bad lifters as they contribute to rough running.

If the vibration is worse in reverse, I'd suspect the tranny mount being torn, allowing the tranny to lift off the mount. Bad engine mounts usually get smoother in reverse since the left side get the pressure then, and is usually in better shape than the right.

If not replaced in the last 60,000 miles, replace engine mounts. On the NA engine, this will be easy, and will probably cure most of the rough running cold.

Thumping idle stone cold is common on this engine -- let the glow plugs run a bit longer (15 sec or so) after the lamp goes out and you will have smoother idle.

When checking the tranny fluid, the engine must be at normal operating temp, the tranny must be hot, and you must both wipe the dipstick AND allow the fluid a minute or so to flow back down the pipe before measuring. If you pull the stick, wipe it off, and immediately thrust it back down, it will pick up fluid off the side of the tube that was dragged up when you pulled it, giving a false indication of level. Pull the stick, wipe it off, wait a bit, then re-insert. Pull again and check BOTH sides -- one usually has smeared out and up hte stick, the other will show the actual lever across the stick. A pain, alas, but over filling can ruin the tranny.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!