Engine rattling and loosing power

My 92 Stanza has started rattling recently. I thought it was the valves needing adjusted (I am not a mechanic). On my way to work a couple of days ago it just started loosing power, it would sort of quit and pick back up again. If you tried to give it fuel it would bog out. Then it would pick up and run correctly for a while, then cut out again, it got so bad it wouldn't hardly pull it's self. I nursed it into the local garage and they checked it out for me. They say I need a new timing chain and oil pump.
Normally I wouldn't question their judgement, however the mechanic told me that he adjusted the timing and the car ran well and quit making the noise, then when he went to take it out for a second test drive the problem was back. My question is could the distributor have an effect on the timing chain and noise? I drove the car home last night to store it until I can afford the repair ($900) and it seemed to run much better. It still cut out occasionally but made it home without a problem. Does anyone have any thoughts or has anyone had a similar problem in the past? Any help would be appreciated. Tom

I've also posted this in the Stanza Forum, I hope that's alright.