I think you should check the cam timing..

Yup that's right, they prime them for a few seconds when you go to crank it over, and after it starts and you let the key off something like the crank or cam position sensor signals to keep the pump on. Your test is a good one.. But then you need to read up on how to get the trouble codes out of the dash, or what sensor it is that keeps the pump running.

Thanks for the reply. I received the new regulator today. Plugged it in. No change. I pulled the spark plug, and checked for spark while hitting the start button. Spark looks good. I can hear the fuel pump relay click when the key is turned "on", and I can hear the fuel pump priming before attempting to start. However, the motor barely stumbles before dying. Seems as though I lose either fuel or spark immediately after starting. I suspect fuel, because I don't smell much fuel after these start attempts. I'll try to get a gauge and fittings so I can check the fuel pressure. At the moment, I'm wanting to try jumping the fuel pump relay so that fuel constantly runs when the power is on. If I'm able to start the motor, and it continues running with the fuel pump relay jumped, that would suggest that the relay is not getting the signal to pump once the motor is started. I read somewhere that the signal from the ECM to run the fuel pump after startup is on a different circuit that the one that primes it before starting. Maybe I fried my ECM when the battery failed? Does anyone know which pins to jump on the plug for the fuel pump relay?

"Installed new battery. Now when trying to start, it seems normal, turns over, and begins to start, but immediately dies.". Well.. dying straight after start up, disregarding the battery issue, I'd be checking the fuel pump and pressure. Running lean could make it run hot. A burning out/seizing fuel pump could bugger the battery perhaps..