My '85 240 DL had similar symptoms, except it never quite died -- went on for a couple of weeks or more, until (on advice from other Brickboard readers) I cleaned the contacts on the ignition coil, and have had no problems since. At or about the same time, I also checked and cleaned the distributor and put in new spark plug wires, but the coil contacts seemed to be the key. Dielectric grease, or whatever it's called, should prevent corrosion and maintain good contact.