Max wedge manifolds too hot?

A local guy has a 63 dodge 426 max wedge. About a month ago I took it for a short drive and when I got back the manifolds got so hot that it bubbled the paint on the inner fenders. I cleaned and lubed the distributor and brought the timing up to 15 degrees initial from 0 degrees where it was. I started it the other day and I used a laser temp gun to read the manifolds. Passenger side was 680 degrees and the drivers side was about 70 degrees less. Is this too hot? If so what should the temp be and would cause this? Thanks

I think you fixed it.
I have seen (too many times) on initial startup/break in/cam break in the timing so retarded that the header tubes start to glow.
It happens so fast you barely have time to get a light on it, and a few times I just reached over and advanced the crud out of it, then got it dialed in.Neever seemed to have any lasting harm,but I do not have x-ray eyes.
Now if you wait a moment,there's a good chance someone will contradict me

Hope this helps,
Bear

BTW if memory serves,EGT runs anywhere from 550-700 degrees and goes as high as 1200 when you stand on it.

Well, you already adjusted the timing, and advanced it, so another symptom would be to lean of a fuel mixture.
Maybe richer jets.

No problem with paint rather than passenger side valve cover,made a shield out of aluminum and that took care of that.Temp on all eight exhaust ports with a gun is around 475* average with a full 3" exhaust.

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Passenger side was 680 degrees and the drivers side was about 70 degrees less. Is this too hot? would cause this? Thanks

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I would say way too hot. jetting/vac leak/timing/stuck heat riser. I'm curious why he had it timed at zero?