If you have the means to get the kernel source sure you could compile it.
www.kernel.org. Get 2.6.8.1 and copy it to your /usr/src I think there are many different sources for show you how to compile your own kernel. I do the following:
cd /usr/src
tar jfx linux--verision
ln -sf linux--version linux
cd linux
make oldconfig
make menuconfig --> to select what you want installed.
make
make modules_install
cp System /boot/System--version
cp arch/i386/boot/bzimage /boot/vmlinuz---version
Then modify you lilo or grub config...
Walt