Hi everyone........first post!

Just got my rebuilt 1600XF running and a couple of things are worrying me. Firstly, it only ran for about 30 seconds, but the lolocost manifold got VERY hot. Is that normal?
Second, the bottom end seems to be noisy....not rattly, just metallic.....is this normal while new bearings and rings bed in?
Cheers in advance.

Exhaust manifolds do get very hot very quick, especially tube ones. Bearings should not be noisy when they are run, even first time out. Did you turn the engine over with the coil disconnected to get some oil pressure up first? and did you oil the shells when you fitted them. I use a mix of oil and STP to make sure there's no metal to metal contact on first start.

yours, Pete.

Yep, did all that. Its been sat in garage after rebuild for a while, but I cranked it over for ages to build up pressure. I think the noise is perhaps just "running" noise amplified in the garage. I'm very excited now! Just need a pedal box and a propshaft.

The manifold indeed gets very hot - on a dark night look under the bonnet on your 'commercial car' it'll likely be glowing a dull red - this temperature is approximately 600~700 degrees!

It is afterall the firing line for the explosion that has just occurred in the chamber so yes - it does get extremely hot!