Mercury Front Cover Latch

[txinspector]

Hello all! I'm new to boating and this forum, so please bear with me! I have a 1988 Mercury 135 HP Black Max. The spring loaded latch that holds the front cover in place is broken and I've been having trouble finding a replacement. Most dealers have told me that the part is obsolete and others refuse to sell me one off a used motor because they don't want to

devalue it. The dealers I've looked at are small ones though. Is there a large wrecking yard type business where I might find this part, or does anyone have any ideas on what I could do to fix this? Thanks!