Deb... this just in addition to what the other lads have said...... Engine tuning is a relatively easy thing when you are familiar with the steps...
I would try to find someone you can take the buggy to, or have them come to you , who is familiar with the old school, non ecu controlled engines.
There is a specific path to follow.... This is first ensure that the valve clearances are correctly set on all 4 cylinders. Then and only after the valve gap setting is correct the timing needs to be adjusted at first to a manual position by moving the distributor and finally by timing light shone on the pulley at the notch in pulley rim. When this is done the carburretor is adjusted for petrol\air mix ratio . (Big screw in carb side) and the idling set with engine hot with the small screw next to the big one. An auto choke adjustment is simply and just needs the choke body rotating correctly. (I know you have manual choke). If the carb is a solex 34pict 3 then there are sections on the valve gapping\timing\carb set up and auto choke set up in the Haynes manual. (These are about 14 quid on ebay). Long, long time since I used anyone for a crypton tune set up .. it`s really a case of does the operator really understand an ancient engine thoroughly. Engines built way before most of the young men about.
(I have a view in that the only way to get a type 1 engine to run really smoothly as it did in the beetle days is for the carb to have good pre heating ie a red hot pipe. Hot air from the exhaust to the original style air filter and a unworn distributor and carburretor. This does not mean you should not try to get the best out of what you find in a buggy). Keep at it and good luck
