Dude, look in the upper right hand corner.
BMA.
Call them and ask to speak to Patrick, tell him Denis from NY told you to call because you're (pat) the man to talk to about BMW parts.
He will help you out with the main bearing issue you are having. I would also become intimate with realoem.com
If you're going to rebuild it, you might as well squeeze some power out of it. I know, I know, but you want to keep it stock. Thats what I said when I started rebuilding my M50. Try to source an M44 crank, M44 rods and pistons. If you're feeling a bit crazy get yourself S50 pistons. You're going to have to re-hone the block anyway, so you might as well bore it out 2mm

With that said, you shouldn't have any trouble getting answers here because there are plenty of guys on the forum that have built up their M42's!