Bogged down While In Gear And Sputtered During Acceleration

I can't imagine how ignition timing would affect triggering of the ecu. Up and down play (springy feeling) is normal with the pickup as it's a spring steel clip that holds it in place. If it's actually loose it's a different story. 20 degrees atdc is very retarded. I'd be surprised it'd run good at all if it were actually 20 atdc. Do you mean 20 btdc? If it is reading 20 atdc when it runs right and your sure the balancer and timing cover are properly matched and the balancer hasn't slipped it is possible the timing chain jumped.

BTW: What cam do you have?