Finally got some spark from the 86 350x motor i rebuilt and mounted in a 250x frame, after unplugging all the old connectors a couple times, just started to work, no need to question why!! Anyway, i got it fired up and it seems to be running extremely hot. It was just idling for maybe 3 mins. i gave it some throttle every now and then but basically it was just idling, burning off the dust and oil and form-a-gasket i guess from around the exhaust manifolds, but after the smoking didn't stop after a 3 mins i shut it down. Check the oil it was good, the oil cooler was warm, the lower end just warm but the valve covers were HOT. I could put my hand on them for a second, that was all. I let it cool a bit and started it up again and let her idle for 3 to 4 mins again and again it seemed to be burning stuff off the exhaust manifold area and again when i shut it off, the head and valve covers were much hotter than the lower end or the oil cooler. Do these motors run this hot? i would think if the oil was pumping correctly the whole system would get warm together. And if it runs real hot, maybe someone could clue me in on how to verify if the top end is getting lubricated correctly. Thanks a bunch!!

 

Top ends in an air cooled bike are going 2 run hot... i mean all of your oil is in the bottom end and in the oil cooler its going to be cooler! not as much oil is going to the top end.. but to answer your question.. those engines heat up very quickly and they run hot yes.. you dont have anything to worry abt.. just make sure your oil level is where it is supposed to be.... and as for your header.. did you put a gasket on it?? i never run a gasket on mine.. but other than that.... is it melting your plastics? mine smoked for a little while but was fine after abt 15 min or so..