Toyota Repair: 1993 Camry Starting Problem, new distributor cap, totota camry

Question
Hi .... Car is a 1993 Totota Camry 4-cylinder with about 130K miles. Car had been "surging" a bit when driven at highway speeds ..... and also stalling out often when slowing to turn a corner. So, I began a series of efforts to tune the car up. Items completed so far are: new PCV valve, new distributor cap and rotor, new plug wires, new fuel filter, and new spark plugs. The problem is ..... that after completing the installation of the spark plugs, the car does not want to start. After sitting for a long time ..... it may actually turn over .... but only runs for 5 seconds or less. And then it will not turn over at all (It cranks ... but will not start). I have taken the new plugs out and reset/installed them again ...... making sure they were properly connected to the wires/etc .... but this did not help. Also have verified that fuel is entering the fuel filter. Is it POSSIBLE that the new plugs are duds ?  It at least STSRTED prior to me changing the plugs. Currently, I am at a loss for what else might be wrong. I appreciate and thank you in advance for any advice you might offer. Thanks/JPMM

Answer
These engines are known to have distributor problems, remove the distributor cap and the rotor, remove the cover over the ignition coil and very carefully check the coil for any cracks or burned through spots, check it on the underside as well as the epoxy filled area on top, if there are cracks or evidence of arcing replace the coil, if there are no cracks or any problems found with the coil replace the distributor.