1956 5.5 Johnson CD-13 Reborn & overheating?

[Squirrel42]

I got a beautiful 5.5 1956 Johnson that I have finally got running due to mass amounts of help from I-boats

Now shes running i want to make sure i keep her that way..

The Exhaust cover is really hot and so is the back plate with the spark plugs. I feel around the opposite side of the engine and it's hot but not to hot to touch.
It's spitting a good amount of water and has a new pump, so that's not an issue.
Do these little engines just run hot?

 

[Chinewalker]

The engine may not be running hot. The exhaust cover always running hot - there is no cooling in the exhaust cover, except along one edge. You'll likely see some discoloration on the cover showing the pattern.
The cylinder head has a channel that runs top to bottom at the center. I believe there's a freeze plug at either end that you can pop out to check for blockages. Also, the head gasket only has small holes in it that feed that channel. I've found bits of seaweed, grit, etc. in those small gasket holes. Maybe pop the top water passage plug from the head, start the motor in the barrel, and note if water comes out.