I'm often surprised by what local shops can supply if you can convince them to try. Often, they can assemble odd-ball parts that you'd assume would have to come from some distant and expensive specialty supplier. A shop where they actually do the work on-site may even be able to assemble components that don't exist.
For example, when I converted my Cat D-6 from pup start to direct start, I took a tracing of the starter mounting pad, a tracing of the ring gear teeth and a few other specs to a local shop and they assembled a starter from off-the-shelf (Delco) parts. They even asked if I wanted them to put 12V or 24V windings in it. There were "conversion kits" for the same job advertised in Rock and Dirt, but at several times the price.
Another time, I needed a Bo$ch regulator for an obsolete Mercede$. I took it to a local shop and their response was that yes, they could get one, but for about a quarter of the price, they could sell me a rebuilt Delco generator that would fit, with a regulator and a bracket to fit the Mercede$ engine.
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