Yes the work was done a purely preventative. I believe that I am off 1tooth on the belt because the car runs good when the computer is compensating the loop. However once the engine is warm it resets the timing to where it's supposed to be under normal conditions. My conclusion is it must be done again and with some luck I will be driving the old girl once again!
Rookie mistake. Anyone have a sure fire way to avoid this sort of problem? Also what's the best way to check the lash on the cam?

 

Me, when removing a "known good" timing belt.....mark the old belt and gear with something - nail polish, marker, whatever - in a few places, like one tooth/belt of the drive/driven gears the belt(s) ride on.

Once the old belt(s) are off, count the teeth spacing from the old belt. Count and mark that same spacing to the new belt......you are then just making marks line up

Again, just me, a known good belt and a few marks and there is no reason to set the engine to tdc.....The idea is that the cam/crank/balance shaft all stay "IN TIME". They don't really care if you do the replacement when they are at TDC....TDC just comes in handy for the "oh sh#%" I just messed up...or if someone before you messed up.....but that would be a "not known good" timing belt.

Valve lash....cold engine and plugs out - you don't fight compression when turning the crank.

 

Turns out out I was right! I started the car and let it run for a bit and it smoothed out shot the timing and all is well! I suspect that the lifters in a couple cylinders may have lost pressure causing the rough condition. Being that this was the first time I didn't want to ruin anything. I should have a bit more confidence if I do it again! Now the lash,so should I simply check the lash at the base circle of the cam? What is the procedure?