Blair P. Houghton wrote:

Maybe the new chain will work. It has a split link, so I
can afford to try it. It might slip between the cogs,
though. And I'll need to lube it, if not strip and lube

If the chain is new it has already been lubricated at the factory,
likely better than you would do it. Just mount it as is, at most wipe
off some of the excess with a rag, and go.g