1993 V6 3.0L 122K miles stalls, bucks hesitates

I have a 93 taurus w/ 122k original miles. I drove it down the e. Coast and it got 30MPG and ran like a champ. Now it has problems where it hesitates alot, bucks like a denver Bronco and usually dies. It always starts up again, though. The check engine light comes on about once every 10 days, stays on for about 1/2 mile and then goes out. I almost suspect a vac leak as it started out being a little hesitation at first and now I'm almost afraid to drive it. I took it to Pepboys who said to take it to a ford dealer and put it on a breakout box. I'm kind of afraid of what that'll cost. They also told me that I would just be throwing parts at it til I get the right one. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks