Help!!!!

your plug wire issue sounds instead like a timing issue. First make sure you have the firing order correct. Then get a timing light and dial it in. I'm guessing that if it ran fine before the tune-up, then you probably turned the distributor a little when replacing parts. If you don't have a timing light you can usually time it by ear and get it pretty close. Just start it up, loosen the clamp, and turn the distributor a LITTLE bit either way until you find the sweet spot. If the car started before you attempted the tuneup, the problem is likely not with the starter. Leave it in there until you've exhausted other, simpler options first.
re: smoking resistor, I don't think thats common. I put in a new one and it didn't do that. Usually when electrical components smoke, it means they are getting too much current through them. Did you mess with any other wiring when you did the work?
The oil pressure switch is located near the distributor at the top rear of the motor. You should be able to find a place to tap into the cooling system somewhere on the front of the intake.