Hi, About your transformer. I work in a electric motor repair shop and we rewind/ rebuild stuff like this all the time. If you can't find one, definately check your yellow pages for a electric motor shop. It might even be cheaper than a new one. Depending on which winding is shorted, wire size, turns etc., with the new insulating materials today. if you had it rebuilt, it would practically be indestructable. Heck, If you were in the Toronto area I'd do it for you. If you are gonna pull it out, Take lots of pictures and label everything. Just so you get the wires back on the right taps.

When or if you check the electric motor shop. Ask them for some mica board or some glastick, you can just cut it yourself and put the holes you need. they will have tons of the stuff just lying around. for the amount you need they shouldn't even charge you for it.