Hi Arki,
Welcome, and yes, I think you should stay with the original sized wheels, 26x1 3/8", 590, 650A, whatever you plan as far as hubs go. Less trouble and expense on every side.

An ebay seller, sailing2453, sold me several sets of 26 x 1 3/8" gumwalls, at a good price. Had a mix-up (sent me S6, schwinn, by mistake, be sure to specify 590) and he was very generous with his service to me.

You can source replacement alloy wheels, either whole (the least expensive option) or buy parts $$. There are a couple of sellers of these. Uglyrm (ebay seller) Harris cyclery, & AE bikes.