2001 chevy s10 won't start?

2001 chevy s10 4.3 (262) 69k miles 2wd. Problems noted: key is hard to turn in tumbler.....have to wiggle it back and forth a couple times to be able to turn the key to on. gas gauge indicates low fuel while vehicle is running or not yet after running for about 2-3 minutes gauge corrects itself. vehicle has fuel. recently changed the spark plugs and wires on the vehicle....it ran like garbage...the plug wires were bad or damaged (one was taped together). So, I replaced all plugs and all wires....started vehicle and ran better than before....drove home (2-3 miles) parked it and two days later it doesn't start.....cranks but doesn't catch. A friend checked the coil and said no spark. Went ahead and replaced the coil and still no start. when attempting to start it it simply cranks until you release the key (turning it off) and then it sounds like it wants to catch but doesn't. only seem like it will want to start when you turn the key off....while trying to start it just cranks and cranks. only two things I can figure would be timing is off...trying to crank on the exhaust.....or the ignition.....any ideals????