Hi Matt
I would put it togeather as intended. After flying you find your self having to hold right rudder during climb out to maintain a stright line then I would shim the engine a degree or two to the right by adding washers under the engine mount.
And I would also use trangle stock and epoxy them into place around the back side of the fire wall if it does not already have them.
If it does already have trangle stock I think that I would still epoxy the back side of the fire wall just for good measure!