There are more than a few things that will cause your diesel to run and then shut down as described. Vacuum is not one of them. The MB diesels run vacuum from a pump and not from the intake manifold.
First suspect would be the fuel. After sitting it may have fungi growing in it and that will plug up the supply. Usually can be seen in the clear prefilter, looks like black crap in there.
Next could be fuel lines, specifically the cigar hose. It runs from the steel fuel line near the engine cowl, about a foot long. You mentioned rotted lines and that one can get open sores and will suck air in, which will either cause the car to die after a bit, or will keep running with no power.
Be sure to check to see if fuel runs out the steel line with the cigar hose removed. If not fuel weeps out, you may have a problem in the tank with the strainer. Located at the bottom of the fuel ta\nk, it will get plugged if there is fungi in there.
There are other problems that will cause what you are telling, but check the fresh fuel supply first off. Most common, and cheape$t to fix.