Just put the first 300 miles on the car this past weekend. Car runs great. When I got home and opened the hood, I brushed up against the hood spring to check the fluid level in the master cylinder, and it was hot. I dont mean warm, I mean HOT. The engine temp never got over 160, is all that heat coming off the headers? Is that normal?

It's coming from the hot air off the engine, radiator and especially the scorching exhaust system swirling around under the hood. If the motor's running at a good, consistent temp like 160*-180*, it's all good. This is why you see a lot of guys trying to get cool outside air directly to the carb rather than just sucking hot, power-robbing air from under the hood with an open element air cleaner.

Ceramic coated headers would help lower the under hood temps.

Vents in the hood or on the fenders make for good ventilation, and can look nice when done right.

A lot of people have setups that can move a lot of air in to the engine bay, but then where is that air going to go?