Timing help desperately needed for 93 Altima KA

[mx3man83]

This engine is just impossible to work on! Who in their right mind would design an engine where it's much less complicated to leave the intake manifold on while removing a cylinder head? Crazy Nissan engineers. Anyway, back on topic--I need help! I'm doing a cylinder head gasket replacement for a friend of a friend and I am having issues getting the car to run now. I removed the cylinder head while the engine was at TDC on compression stroke, but when going to reinstall the head, cams and timing chain it appeared the chain may have moved. I certainly do not want to remove the lower timing cover, so I just installed the timing chain/cams on basic timing principles and using the dots on the cam sprocket; with both pointing in the appropriate direction, as indicated by the manual, and with the distributer notch parallel with the head. Of course, the crank was positioned at TDC by using the small marks on the crank pulley and timing cover. Is this method acceptable? It looked like so much extra work to remove the lower timing cover just to see the gold links on the chain!

A little more on the situation: When installing the head, the second alignment dowel was missing. Apparently it was stuck in the old head, which was warped so badly the machine shop refused to resurface it. So a junkyard pull was used, warrantied thankfully. I informed the client of this situation, but in their haste to finish the job, they requested I install the head anyway, so I did. I simply lined up the HG as best I could by site alone. Now, after checking the timing numerous times and confirming the presence of spark and fuel, the engine has EXTREMELY low compression (10-30 psi, depending on the cylinder). Now, I turned the engine over by hand after setting timing with no problems. In addition, I pulled the head and confirmed no visible valve damage. Now, I poured fuel into the intake and exhaust of the head and there was enough seeping out the valves to be seen. Is that ok on those heads? Fuel is extremely thin, so I'm wondering if it should be able to seep out the valves when they are in the closed position. Sorry for the story, but I'm trying to be as clear and consice as possible. The guy I'm doing the work for 'has built a hundred race motors' and believes he knows everything about engines. Granted, he is quite knowledgable but import engines are only similar in concept to his big-block beasts he use to work on. I would appreciate any help, thanks!

[180fan]

It probably did move. Wait, how did you get the head off with the two chain guides still on?