Having trouble with timing, lack of vacuum at idle, poor throttle response. Checked everything, 2 or 3 times over. Checked that the #1 cylinder at TDC on compression stroke matches the valves being closed, and rotor pointing to #1. Balancer shows TDC also.

I took the timing cover off, and definately have slack on the passenger side more than the drivers.

Would that contribute to my poor performance and timing trouble?

At TDC on compression stroke, the cam dot is pointing to 12 o'clock. Crank is at 12 o'clock. Of course, one full turn and they are at 6 and 12......

 

The passenger's side of the timing chain will be looser than the driver's side because it's turning clockwise. A worn/stretched chain will affect your timing and thus performance as well. A new chain is cheap and since you've got the timing cover off there's no time like the present!