Good Morning to all the group.
I have a minor problem with my 4runner that someone may be able to steer me in the right direction to cure.
I have an 87' 4runner with the 4cyl 2.4 EFI motor. I recently replaced all the top end gaskets,ie: head,exhaust,intake,etc.
before it ran really great but would get HOT if I went to far from the house. I could get to work and back okay, but to go into town it would get hot.after talking to the shop they said it could be just as simple as a radiator cap. So I replaced the cap and the headgasket leak made itself known. so I replaced all the gaskets.
I marked all the wires and hoses when taking it all apart to put them back in order in the right places.Now it idles okay but when trying to drive it seems to lack the same git up and go it did before. It ran better with the blown head gasket than it does now.I have check the timing, fuses,wires time and time again.I have checked the distributer,changed all filters,plugs,wires,etc. and it is really frustrating. Please enlighten me....I have been researching the threads of T4R.ORG for quite some time now and have tried some of the advice given but have yet to find the problem. I am trying to avoid go to the stealership.

The distributor may be off a tooth, or the timing chain.

Does anyone know what the timing is suppossed to be for an 87 with auto tranny? no sticker on underside of hood to tell me. Do i need to jump the delay too?

I'm looking at the Haynes Repair Manual right now, and it say check the VECI Label located on the underside of the hood. It may help you it may not.

I had your same problem happen to me! My engine just overheated tonight, and I'm thinking it is the headgasket. Is this a common problem with this engine? Did the headgasket fix the overheating?