Nissan Repair: Engine timing, spine link, chain stretches

Question
I have a 92 Nissan Altima which seems to have a timing issue of some sort. It will not start when it is correctly timed (20 degrees BTDC), however it will start at approximately 28 degrees BTDC but dies when a load is placed on the engine.

The top timing chain looks to be out of place (the set links are not where they should be) when the engine is at top dead center but I can't tell if they should always come to the same place in the engine's rotation (to the top of the gear) or if they move due to the spine/link ratio as the engine runs.

Is there anything other than it jumping time that could cause this problem? I'm really looking for any computer or sensor error which may throw off the timing. (Distributor has been replaced, but made no change.)

I've been told by one mechanic that he had seen a few of these engines jump time but was told by a Nissan mechanic that he had not seen one jump time in 15 years of working on them so I'm sort-of wondering if it may be something else.

Any help or information you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You
Chris Glover

Answer
Chris,

All indications point to a timing chain that has jumped timing so I would replace the timing chain with a new one and be done with it.  And, I do not car what the mechanic has said since I have seen plenty of them.  The chain stretches and the slipper does not control the process and the result is the timing chain jumps and that is the problem.  Change the chain and tensioner and you should be back in business.