1996 chevy silverado wont start

The fuel pressure should not drop more than 5 psi., it should hold at 56 psi if you checked 61 psi for at least 3 min. So it sound like you have a leak under the plenum. It could be an injector, lines, or the regulator witch are known to leak. (fuel pressure should be 56 to 62 psi)

Have you checked for spark or compression?

It should have started though when starting fluid was applyed

Don't know if this works, but I put an old spark plug in each wire and set it by a ground ( not all at once) and tride starting it and got spark on all the wires. Don't know if it was enough spark but I did have one? No I have not done a compression test.

New spark plugs and ignition coil. Still no start. Distributor and rotor is bout 8 months old and look good no cracks or crosion. Have not replaced the wires but only 8 months old.

It has been rough to start all last week but I'd eventually get it, and it run all day. Even cranked it up saturday. But it rained all day sunday and when I went to crank it Monday morning it would start tried for 30 min and nothing. Also if this helps it was acting up here lately when I got to 45 50 mph and coasted it would studder a little.

Fuel pressure can act like this, like I said, check fuel pressure...Not to say that you don't have a weak coil...like mentioned above...

I did and it was 61 on and off it declined to 15 in about 5 mins

There is some sort of control module that controls the spark... this also would be a cause...

Ignition control module...

Oh ok, there you go, there is a leak under the plenum, more than likely a fuel regulator, typical, or the spider lines and or an injector. It is spendy but it is recommended to replace the regulator with the spider lines.

One more check on the fuel, check a dead head pressure to the fuel gauge, this will tell you if there are any leaks from the fuel pump to the intake. You should read and hold 60 to 67 or so lbs.

That is to the fuel pressure test gauge.

Regardless of the fuel issue. Shouldn't it still do something with starter fluid? Which leads me to believe I'm not getting a good spark

Yes unless u don't have spark or compression ur problem may not be the fuel delivery issue at all it maybe just a small problem with a larger problem at hand check for spark and also check for compression

Yes sir, it should fire right off! Not to say there is not a problem there like the ignition control module, if you look at the spark across a spark plug, or pulling a wire, the spark should be white. A weak spark will appear orange. Regardless of the fuel pressure...

Well don't understand why but changed the wires and ignition rotor and she fired right up. Still like to know why my fuel pressure isn't holding

Those parts weren't even a year old

hand choke. if it starts, low fuel issue. pump or regulator