Try this:
1. Disconnect the battery
2. Turn the distributor so the points are open
3. Take an ohmmeter and check from the coil side of the condenser to ground
4. If it shows a short (0 ohms), maybe you have the condenser installed wrong (no insulator on the coil side?)
If the ohmmeter shows an initial short and then "charges" to a resistance value, then that would be normal (it may just show a resistance- possibly open)
don
