DanDanTMM

First time posting here as I've never really had any problem from my truck before. I have a 1985 Toyota SR5 4x4 with the 22RE that I've owned since it was new. It's pretty much all original with 110,000 miles and has never had any major engine work. Lately it just has not been running right. It idles fine but when you give it gas it initially hesitates. In the higher RPM range is runs fine (no hesitation), but low RPM or load causes hesitation. I pulled the plugs and all look good except for #1 which is black and sooty (not oily). I've replaced the plug wires and distributer cap/rotor but still hesitation & sooty #1. I tried to check the timing but shorting the terminal per the manual does not work. I was told by my mechanic (works on toyota exclusively) many years ago that this is common on these and he just timed it by "feel". I advanced the timing slightly by "feel" and it helped the hesitation some, but it's still noticable. Where do I go from here? I have a factory shop manual, and I'm mechanically inclined, but have never really trouble shot something of this nature before. Take it easy on me and spell out the abbreviations so I know what the heck you are talking about. :^)