Engine Performance Issues, Ticking Sounds..

1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL 3.3 V6 MPFI
137,902

Oil was recently changed, and car passed massachusetts' emission test with good results.

However, when accelerating from a stop or lower rpms with more than a quarter throttle, the engine sputters, jerks, and comes close to stalling.

This problem has been present since I got the car a month or so ago, it runs fine otherwise. As soon as i got it i changed the old autolite platinum plugs and replaced them with AC-Delco's. Slightly better, but the problem is getting slowly worse. Could this be a clogged fuel filter?

Also, there is a ticking noise coming from the engine under all operating conditions, you can feel it through the front three injectors. Its not a metallice knock, just a ticking thats constant. Click-click-click. It increases with revs, but will eventually be drowned out if your revving high enough.

Im planning to change the fuel filter, but are there any other possibilities or something i may have overlooked?

Look at the fuel pressure when this occurs this require hooking up a suitable gage with a long hose and taping it to the w/s ,drive it and see what the press. is during the event, post back results. BTW, very good job on car info and description of problem, rare in these forums.