How do you fix a cylinder misfire in a 1996 Chevy V8 5L?

First thing is to find out why it is missing. On a 14 year old engine replace the spark plugs and wires if you have not done so recently. Also see if the fuel injector is working properly on the cylinder with the miss. If this is not the problem then run a compression test to see if there is a blown head gasket, broken ring, or burnt valve on that cylinder. If it has coil over plugs then check that coil.

Have your local auto parts store read the code(s) to determine which cylinder has the misfire. The code(s) should include one or more of the following, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308. The last number on each code determines the cylinder At Fault. P0300 is for a random misfire. Once you have determined which cylinder is at fault, remove the spark plug and notice if the business end of the spark plug is wet or dry. If it is wet, you probably have a spark issue be it a bad spark plug, spark plug wire or cap and rotor. If the spark plug is clean and dry, you may have a fuel injector problem. If all that checks okay, do a compression test and compare that cylinder reading with the other cylinders. Ideally, you would like to see all the cylinders compression readings be within 10-15% of each other. If that bad cylinder has low compression you may have a valve or piston rings issue.