Sounds like you had a bubble in the block which solved itself. but that is not the real problem. In any case keep feeding it water
The starting problem...is it hard for the starter to crank it over (assuming you have a good power source)? if so then is sounds like you have to much advance dialed in. It is hard to start because the starter can't overcome of the compression so as you wait the compression is slowly decreasing. Once/if started, this will make the engine run HOT and sometimes backfire at idle, it should be stronger at higher RPM (but I can understand not wanting to throw some revs thru it). I would suggest checking the timing advance.
here is a small text from the keith craft site for a common timing mistake.
"If a dial timing light is used, set dial on timing desired and set timing on ZERO mark on dampener. Or set light on zero and set desired timing on DAMPENER.
We have had people set the light on 34 degrees and time dampener on 34 degrees giving a total of 68 degrees timing. This WILL DAMAGE your engine."
If the starter is turning the engine without a problem then I would guess it is a fuel/air mixture issue... Like a gummed up jet after sitting for "over a year". This causes the mixture to run lean and thus the engine will run hot.
you said it sounded louder then others, where and what type of noise? I didn't read if you had good
oil pressure... no
oil pressure makes valve trains loud and noisy.
Good luck