1990 Escort Automatic 3 Speed Up & Downshifting

I have a 1990 Escort with a 3 speed automatic. It only has about 66,000 miles on it. It feels to me like it upshifts too soon into 3rd gear and it doesn't downshift from 3rd to 2nd quickly or easily enough. It has always done this since I got the car at 26,000 miles. I hear what sounds like lifters clicking at about 2000 rpms as soon as it upshifts from 2nd gear into 3rd gear. Feels like its lugging the engine. The Haynes service manual I have which is not very detailed, shows only one place to adjust the linkage from the transmission. I made sure it was done exactly as the book describes. I checked the static timing also to make sure it was at 10 degrees just in case it was a timing issue. I ran diags and there are no stored codes. Although, I'm not surprised since this is only OBD I. The check engine light is off. I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.