It's a shame, but at only $4000 the problem must have been fairly minor fix all said and done.
Todays engines are best described as 'party now pay later' engines, with very complex heads (as just one component) incorporating metals of differing types and the need to 'fit' it all into almost a honeycomb of bored/drilled and cast lump of aluminium.
The line is now much finer as to what will consitute a serious open wallet senario.
It's very possible all on the up and up and the motor simply received a hone/new rings/ head shave and new gaskets + the labour to make it happen all as a result of a relativly minor hotspot warping the head.
Would be interesting to hear what work/machining/parts were used to make good sense of your mates problem.
Cheers fnq