As to the "wears out the tensioner pads" issue - timing chains are built from a lot of stamped steel pieces that nothing has been done to dress the rough stamped edges. I wrap the chain around the timing gear and dress the edges of the outside of the chain with the wire wheel on the bench grinder, followed by a very thorough cleaning. This knocks loose and removes all the little burrs that chews up the pads, and leaves a noticeably smoother, almost polished surface.

Pretty simple fix, HUH?