Lack of power?

[BoatRacer]

I've searched and read about this for days! I know it's a common issue with the 22re, but mine is acting strange. This is on my daily driver '87. Since I bought it a couple months ago, the power seems to be really lacking. I don't expect it to be fast, but I frequently have to down shift at even the slightest hill at freeway speeds. It's got the factory 4.10 gears and 30" street tires.
When I accelerate, it speeds up slowly until it hits an rpm around 3K, then it takes off like a shot! Some times it just continues to accelerate slowly through the whole rpm range. It's very inconsistent. This happens with the accelerater to the floor or at part throttle. I have checked the timing, TPS adjustment, AFM ohms, spark plug gap, EGR operation, valve lash, and dist shaft play. I can't figure out what would cause a hesitation until a higher rpm is reached? It's never the same rpm either, usually between 2,800-3,200 it will just take off like crazy and accelerate like it should. What am I missing?

 

[92-SR5]

Have you cleaned the MAF? They can get dirty sometimes.

 

[BoatRacer]

No I haven't. It looks clean though, unless you mean the electrical contacts? I've never opened it up.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I assume you've checked the distributor cap and coil?

 

[BoatRacer]

I did check the cap, in fact, I replaced it and the rotor with parts from the dealer shortly after I bought it.
I have not checked the coil, just figured its ok since it does not miss or seem to have spark issues. I didn't consider the spark could be week though? How do I test the coil?

 

[92-SR5]

No I haven't. It looks clean though, unless you mean the electrical contacts? I've never opened it up.

Buy some MAF cleaner from the auto parts store. (~$6) It is made for the electronics and whatnot, so it evaporates without residue. I clean mine whenever I clean my air filter.

 

[BoatRacer]

I cleaned the MAF a d checked my timing. It was a little at 4*. I advanced it to 7* just to see if there a difference. There was a slight improvement, so I advanced it again to 9.5* with the jumper in place and it's running much better. It's not very happy at idle on a cold start up now, but it cleans up quickly and seems to accelerate much smoother. It's way more responsive from a dead stop, but I didn't notice any real improvement in power, it just doesn't have that odd snap in power increase at 3K anymore. It's much smoother. I sure wish there was a way to program or set up a coustom timing curve.