do plug wire resistance and length matter?

I doubt that ½ of an ohm is gonna make a lot of difference. When you replaced them a few years ago, the new wire was longer. Did you question it then? Replacement wires are usually a little bit different. Its never enough to make a difference. So put the original "shorter" wire back on it. That will fix your arching problem. You would be better off if you check all the wires though.

problems?

You'd be better off with a new wire or wires. All those old wires are bad. A simple resistance test with your VOM is not a good test. You could confirm a very bad wire, but not a good one.

Yes to both. Why not just spend the 25.00 and buy NEW wires? The old ones are probably junk.

and why the low readings ?

resistance wire usually runs about 10k / ft

Hey Gary, it looks like you're the only guy that's actually reading the post. As always I think you're right. He probably had his VOM setting at x1k (not x1). For a piece of resistance wire his 7k or 8k could have been "ballpark." I agree with the post that recommends a new set of wires. I'm kinda an overkill guy, though. If I see a bunch of spark dancing around, I go with wires, cap, rotor, and plugs.

well, I had my education on a series of 318/360-equipped Dodge vans

they would eat up a set of plug wires in about 16-18 months without fail

carried an old Simpson 260 with me for 'emergency troubleshooting'................

E=IxR, Voltage = Current x Resistance P=IxE, Power = Current x Voltage Current will always take the path of least resistance. Plug wires shorting to ground are not condusive to high efficiency. On your motor the odd wire will work fine. High frequency DC is great for removing for removing warts and moles...!

High Frequency DC???????? HUH?

Well I just changed the wire set on my '97 tahoe. It had a Packard wire set installed, And resistance was 678 ohm to 1.4K ohm. The correct new wire set from AC-DELCO was 3.5K to 10.1K ohm. Readings were taken with an out of calibration 8060A fluke DVM. Still working on my, '97 tahoe, no start, good fuel, good spark problem, posted somewhere here. I had weak spark at #1, Great at coil. Now I will confirm the spark is arriving at the right time. Let you know the outcome. don

I had new Bosch platinum plugs in, Switched them to Autolite double platinum plugs and noticed a stronger smoother running motor.