Need advice on what to do...

Welcome aboard, in my opinion with the job situation, I would pull the engine and do a clean up. You planned to do that anyway right?? the 8 3/4 with suregrip is gonna cost you anywhere from $500-$800 at least. So do the engine and compartment. That will be mostly elbow grease and not cost you much. That way once engine bay is done, it is still driveable. It will give you more time to find 8 3/4, buy the frame connectors etc. My .02 worth