Big bang, then dead engine

[gtoger]

Hi everybody. Here's my 2nd post about this since it has now happened twice, and I'm obviously not getting something right.

This is a 31 Model A Tudor, stock configuration except for the addition of an alternator, a master fuse mounted atop the starter, and turn signals.

Initial event: driving along, everything normal. Cruising along in town, car begins to lose power. Starts to cough, backfires extremely loudly (or at least that's what it sounds like) and then quits. Main fuse was blown. Replaced fuse on side of the road, no joy. Got her home, found the condenser was blown apart. Literally 60% of it was missing.

Also, the horn and turn signals were fried. So something horrible happened, electrically.

Wound up replacing coil, distributor cap, rotor, points, plate condenser up top and new short-proof condenser. Set point gap, re-gapped the plugs, set the timing and the car fired right up. Took the car out for a test drive and it made horrible power. Would not accelerate at all. Brought it back into the driveway and advanced the timing slightly. Car runs better, makes a bit more power, so I take it around the block.

Car dies 100 yards from the driveway with the same loud bang and blown fuse as before. My neighbor helped me push the car into the driveway and commented the engine seemed quite hot for just around the block. I agreed.

I'm close to throwing in the towel and having it seen by a professional. What could I possibly be missing? I'm so demoralized.