I'd imagine the overheat would be OK. As you suspect a carb problem
anyway, I'd say you have a problem with the autochoke. The carb fitted
you your car as standard (a pierburg 2E2) has a bad reputation that
isn't deserved: However, lot's of people *do not* have a clue where to
start.

I'll email you a guide I found a while back. It's quite big, so if it
gets bounced off your email, email me off-list. You may also want to
consider buying the Haynes Carburettor Manual, and have a look at Dave
Hall's website here:

http://home.clara.net/hallvw/watercooled/jettachoke.htm

You might also want to search the archives:

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk.rec.cars.vw.watercooled/browse_thread/thread
/afcf60bb2be452c9/6ed40d7fed508c99?lnk=st&q=2e2+choke&rnum=4#6ed40d7fed508c99

If the Pierburg really *is* knackered (but bear in mind, they're not
knackered as often as people think, especially the trade!), you can buy
a weber replacement kit that a competent DIYer could fit easily- been
there, done that.