69 Chevy Woes

In-law has a 69 Impala w/327. He has two problems that he thinks are
unrelated, but can't explain either. I think they are related... but can't
explain it nonetheless.

Issue 1:

This thing started blowing condensers at odd times (meaning no pattern).
Might take a day... might take a week... but sooner or later it will blow
the condenser. These are new, not used and the car runs and performs rather
well otherwise. They just up and quit.



Issue 2:


5 minutes after parking, the alternator light comes on. The alternator light
does not come on while operating nor upon turning off the ignition... only
about 5 minutes later. It does come on when the key is turned to on before
cranking, so it appears to function correctly. The Kicker... every now and
again this thing drains it's battery, but when testing has no spark when
striking a cable to terminal suggesting no grounded short.




Here's what I think... but what the hell do I know:



I think that when the engine is shut down with the points closed it is
letting the battery back-feed through the condenser somehow. I have
absolutely nothing to support that theory except for a guess, and have not a
clue as to how I would suggest he go about pursuing that theory. And forget
anyone over there taking anything to a garage as they'd feel like someone
castrated the family jewels at the mere suggestion that among them they
can't fix every problem with every auto.

Anyhow... They are going to drop a HEI distributor in it and deal with the
light separately, but I'm guessing they'll end up popping modules next. He
says he has another alternator around, but I'm wondering if there isn't
something external to it involved.



Suggestions?