Finally,

What started a month ago with rough running ended up getting me an education and testing my patience as well as other things.
Here is what I did:

Replaced timing chain. Word of advise..as you are rolling it in it appears to jump so I took the slack out (about a tooth twice). Almost croaked when the crank would only rotate about 1/8 of a turn either way. Thought I was going to need to take timing cover etc. off. Put the slack back in and got it rolled completely throught (Phew) then set the cam marks to the crank.
Replaced tensioner rail, tensioner, did the water pump while I was in there.
Replaced leaking dashpot diaphram and oil pan gasket.
Adjusted the valves and adjusted the valves and adjusted the valves. 1st time didnt pay attention to the changing position of the intake and exhaust. Read several posts again and paid attention to "adjust, rotate cam a couple of times and check again".

Replaced points and plugs (already had new wires).
Replaced vacumn hoses.

Still was running very rough with several cylinders not firing. Turned out to be trigger points which was probably the original problem but hey, I learned a lot and I know how many miles are on the timing chain now. Replaced those yesterday and boy was that a great sound..running great again.

Oh, and by the way got itchy last weekend and bought a 78 300D, 127,000 miles looks in great condition. Will pick it up in Jacksonville, FL this weekend and drive back to Dallas.

Thanks a bunch for the advise as well as for the information that is in this group. It is a tremendous resource.

__________________
Andy
72 280 SEL 4.5
78 300D
92 300 ZX Twin Turbo (mid life crisis)
99 Suburban (wife)