Can a small block timing chain jump a tooth?

To jump a tooth requires a slack chain; find out how much slack you have in your chain. remove your distributor cap, put a ratchet on the crank bolt, start with the damper on "0" slowly rotate the crank until the rotor just starts to move; remember/write down number, rotate the crank back in the opposite direction until rotor just starts to move. That will give you a good idea of how worn your chain is. You are looking for the least amount of crank movement relative to rotor movement.
Thanks, just did the test. It has slack quite a bit. I guess the mystery is solved. The crank pulley moved >15* before the dist. rotor started to move when I went in the opposite direction....