The Ford TFI ignition can be a problem when it gets older.
Look at this page and print the worksheet:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TFI_Diagnostic.html
ECT(engine coolant temp) sensor won't cause stalling, except maybe at idle when engine is cold.
There are two things that can stall an engine, lack of spark and lack of fuel.
I would get a can of Starting Fluid(ether) and next time it stalls spray some into the intake and see if it starts.
If it does and then dies, fuel is the issue, dirty fuel filter, intermittent fuel pump relay or one of the fuel pumps, you should have 2.
The '87 might have a canister type fuel filter.
If engine doesn't fire with starting fluid then spark is the issue, use the work sheet don't skip any steps.
A just FYI, "new" doesn't mean "it works" anymore, "new" now means "never tested", to make products cheaper the quality control was moved to the consumer end, they added a warranty so will replace a defective "new" part, lol, I would rather pay a little more for a product that I know will work, but that's just me.
So never assume a "new" part works.
Best investment is a Volt/Ohm meter, test old part before replacing then test new part AT the parts store before buying
There are Fusible links on some power wires, also diodes, but no sensors.
A computer sensor can't kill the engine, make it run rough yes but not "kill" it, computer will revert to open loop operation if a sensor is giving it data that is out of it's range, like a limp mode to keep engine running.
There is one senor that can stop an engine from working but not sure the '87 2.9l used it, later years use it, it is the Crank Position(CKP) sensor, it is next to the the front crank pulley, this 2 wire sensor tells the computer the crank is turning so to start spark and fuel, if it is disconnected or bad, the computer doesn't know the engine is turning over, starter cranking the engine, so you have a no start.
These rarely fail in any case.