Gear is probably toast if its 22 degrees out. I recommend a new distributor

GM CHEVY V-6 VORTEC DISTRIBUTOR

Good idea to check the gear while the distributor is removed. You can check timing chain slack without any engine disassembly. Although with the symptoms you have, I doubt that's the problem. Typically when a chain jumps, IF you can get it started, there is extremely low power, but smooth acceleration, and difficult to notice any problems at higher RPM. There would likely be several DTC's in memory too.

thanks for the help. ordered distributor from Skip White last week (thanks Burned for the link) and it fixed it! got the old one out and it was toast. rotor moved up and down at least 1/4" and side to side almost 1/8"

Up and down movement is not an issue. With the way the gears are cut, it pulls the shaft down when the engine is running. There should be no side to side movement though. As long as P1345 is not present, the distributor is meshed correctly, and camshaft retard is "in the ball park", but it needs to be checked and adjusted to zero degrees plus or minus 2 degrees.

yes. i think i am off one tooth with it.. kinda hard to start and the CEL came on right away.. our scan tool at the shop is dead (got left on over the weekend) but i have a backup i am going to use at lunch. i am assuming it is the 1345 code. it runs good, just hesitates when starting now.

ok. pulled codes at lunch.. lo and behold the P1345. pulled data and showed 51* positive CMP retard. restabbed the distributor, and now it runs right at 0. perfect. i am so glad to have the issue fixed.