[Rick Parker]

You have a direct short from the center wire (from the coil) to ground (engine block, carb body etc. The base of the air filter should NOT sit on the distributor as you have indicated. The boot covering the wire may be worn to the point that it is unable to provide insulation to prevent the secondary spark jumping to ground. If you are able to measre the distance from the to of the installed air cleaner assembly to the closest point of contact with the hood. You may put balls of clay on the corners of the air cleaner when it is cold, then close the hood gently and then measure the compressed thickness of the clay. Then purchase a spacer or thick heat insulator type gasket that is close to the thickness of the clay and install it under the carb to effectively raise it above the distributor by the thickness of said item, also replace boot on coil terminal.