1959 questions on engine/restore

[gooyferret]

Just have a few questions on restoring a 1200cc engine for my 1959 beetle. What distributor is the best to use any suggestions would be great! I am rebuilding the engine and starting from scratch...Any modifications i should make etc..i will be putting a new fly wheel and clutch on also in the process. What the engine consists of right now:

engine block
pistons/crank/cylinders/valves (all assembled and ready to put in)
Need to put clutch flywheel, carb, exhaust, distributor, generator, etc on the engine yet

Also how can you tell if the bug has been converted to a 12volt?
The car had an engine fire so i will need to redo the wiring in the engine compartment...how should i go about doing that project any wiring diagrams on sites or books? the wires are still there just melted and not looking to "hott" if you wanna call it that. Any help would be great THIS SITE IS AWESOME!!!

thanks again!

[boschmann]

My second car was a '59 Beetle. Do you have the original 36HP, or is it the 40HP (both are 1200cc)? The easiest way to tell is that the 36 has the generator stand cast into the block, the 40 is bolted on. The original 36 HP distributors and carbs are actually sought after as "performance" items & were often used (sometimes modified) in some old Formula Vee racers. Either way you're not going to notice much difference with aftermarket items on a 36 or 40 HP stock engine. It is very rare to find a 36HP changed over to 12V as the generator has to remain the 6V smaller diameter, but it can be done. On the 40HP you just bolt on the larger 12V genetator stand. The easiest way to tell is if there is a voltage regulator mounted on top of the generator it's 6V. A '59's engine bay wiring is very basic, you shouldn't have any trouble cutting out the burnt wires & replacing them, just do it one at a time.