I've been preparing to smog my 86 22rec 4 runner
My Sticker calls for 5 BTDC with terminal t shorted
At that setting I can barely pull out of the drive way. Once I do get going I can reach 55 mph in about 2 and a half minutes. No power up hills even in third at 60 mph. Any low end torque? Forget about it! Gas milage is horrible.
At 12 to 14 BTDC my truck rock and rolls like it should.
Quick off the line. Power up hills. Great gas mileage.
WHAT GIVES? Any Ideas what is "off"?

 

well the cam could have jumped a tooth... i would personally pull the cover and check that the cam and the crank are both correct....

and yes, the 22re is relatively a gutless engine.... it will run better at 14* because its running a lot richer then and rpms are up due to the advance

 

Same thing happened to me when I adjusted the timing on my '86 22re after timing chain replacement. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, so I took it to my Toyota mechanic/fishing buddy. After he adjusted the timing it ran great, told me he didn't go by the factory settings, just advanced it until it started "pinging" then dialed it back.