Our newest aquisition, a 1986 DL wagon, had a similiar problem but it was highly erratic. 3-4 times per month, it would just die, driving staight, turning, slowing down, speeding up...didn't seem to have a pattern.

PO and I replaced many and assundry items.

Finally found the connection to the knock sensor was bad (the rivited connection tab was loose, finally pulled off). Replaced the knock sensor...problem gone.

I suspect the intermitent connection was confusing the computer, causing it to throw the engine into the base-line retarded setting (happens when the computer sees no signal from the sensor)but in such a way that the engine would die.

Fairly cheap fix and did not have to remove intake manifold to get at it, just the throttle body and hoses.

jrk