I switched the exhaust to the other side so that won't happen again.
how did you do that , mine the other side had the top brace and the reciever and batt tray. anyway if it were me throw it away like i did because after i spent 200 more to keep fixing it i finaly got a savage . since then i never broke anything again, the engine dt21 is a pain to tune and sucks in air everywhere so i would seal it up first . good luck replacing that motor because once it goes no other motor will fit because of the stubby end on the driveshaft. i would go with opt #1 if i were you and just buy a new truck.