OK thanks Tomguy (great info on the site!) and Strife. A question for Tomguy: in your process is the tensioner left undisturbed and the rocker arms left in place until the new chain is in (I am buying a new OEM tensioner (gulp))?
I know (at least, I think I know) that everything will be OK as long as both ends of the chain remain on the right-hand sprocket, thereby not allowing it to jump out of time.
I am replacing the three plastic guides: mine are a nice caramel color, and I don't even see any surface grooving, but they were 20 years old in November, and have 149,000 faithful miles behind them, so they are retiring. I am also replacing the tensioner rail: do you have any recommendations as to OEM v aftermarket, etc? Again, if there is more than one style available, I will not know which to buy.
Thanks again to everyone; I could not make it without your help and advice!