I have to use an auto box as I am disabled. I find that the kickdown shifting is very slow to engage with engine revving very high during the shift. Can anything be done to speed up the shift ? 

Its a Ford box, it wont snap your neck like others can do, maybe give it a fluid and filter change if it has one. My mk2 is quite sluggish on kick.

 

Jimpster's MK2 has the same engine and gearbox as yours.

If it's over 3 years old and/or 40,000 miles change the fluid

If it really is 22 years old and has never been changed, change the fluid, run 500 miles and change the fluid again as you can't get all of it out

If kickdown/shift performance is really bad after that, you may need to strip and clean the shift solenoids

4F1E has no sump plug so you will need fluid, filter and a sump gasket.

Drop the sump to drop the fluid, ensure it's warm when you drop fluid

Sorry, as an add on.

You have to take the sump off to drain anyway, so, at that age, I would be tempted to clean the solenoids anyway, before refilling with fluid

The fluid you will need will be MERCON V or similar as well