A slight (2-3mm) chainline shift to the outside shouldn't be too much to cause problems for most derailleurs if adjusted for properly. If the problem is shifting from the large to small it may be just an alignment issue. Usually the recommendation is to have the outer cage parallel to the rings. With your 9 speed chain, that has a outside width slightly narrower, it may cause slower shifting if not aligned correctly. Rotating the FD so the rear of the cage is parallel or slightly angled inwards may help. Adjust limit screws as needed to clear the big ring/small cog and the small ring/large cog.
Another possibility is just wear to the cage and weakening of the springs over the years.
If these adjustments don't help, then maybe a newer FD is needed. Most 9 or 10 speed FD should work with friction shifters fine. Sram 10 speed FD seem to get good reviews.

Except for the very latest generation of FD, design has not changed very much. With the advent of narrower chains, the FD cage has gotten narrower but the mechanism is generally the same. Some on the late '80s - mid '90 FD had shaped inner cages but this was to aid lifting the chain when going small to big ring. Seems this was ended when the chainrings got better with the use of the ramps and pins to catch the chain.

Ok! thanks for the reply.

in adjusting it, i removed the front derailleur and cleaned it up, i realized that i wasn't getting full actuation out of the bottom limit screw cause it was gunked up.
it's fine now