Mike,
Your reply is certainly amusing, but not very helpful. Please don't take any offense, because I have read many useful and informative posts over your user name.
Some have said that the degree of slack is an indicator, i.e. after a certain amount of slack the timing chain "slaps" the chain guides, promoting breakage. I plan to investigate the amount of slack and try to make an informed decision.
Thanks for all of your posts, including yours Mike
Regards,
Tom