What is normal? IIa

I recently aquired a Series IIa 109' Petrol. I want to know if it is normal for the passenger floor board, bulkhead and steel/aluminium dash to heat up. Sometimes you can not have bare feet on the passenger side. Its steers right handed and I know the exaust pipe is below it, but is this typical or do I need to change something around? Another proplem- I will drive about 30 minutes getting the engine hot, then shut the engine off and start it after 20 minutes or so and the fuel in the Carb float seems to be evaperated (I am guessing). I have to pump the gas a few times before trying to start it. Is this normal? The carb is the Zenith type. I drive in a hot tropical climate -
Just minor problems and am looking for advice.

Hot floor is due to the exhaust passing close under neath it.

I have experienced similar here in the UK.

You can get a heat shield, that bolts on the the exhaust on the passengers side

A heat shield for the exhaust- maybe I can just make a custom piece of aluminium sheet metal - would work? I know I can order a heat shield for the Carb online. I might have seen something online for the diesals, a exhaust shield or something. Yesterday I moved the front licence plate to the side of the bumper - It was in the center somewhat blocking the radiator. Maybe that will cool the pig down a little.

You can get heat shields for the carb. down pipe and the one under the passengers feet

I have carpet and floor mats in my 2A and it helps a bit with the heat.