One thing that we both don't know is how to align the heads on it. Unfortunately, it did not come with a manual.
First of all, congratulations on obtaining an analog blast from the past!
I am sure that once you get it going, you will be incredibly pleased with the sound quality that 2", 16 track analog can give you.
About the lack of a manual;
This was one of the things I tried to warn you about, buying an obscure machine without a service manual.
If I were you, I would make finding one, JOB ONE! For without it, you will have no instruction set as to how to do mechanical alignments, (which includes the heads) and the electrical alignment of doing bias, eq, and level adjustments.
One thing to consider is that the heads and electronics might not need an alignment or, at least not need a major one depending on how much the machine was jostled around in transit to you.
You simply try a recording and see just how badly thing have drifted out of whack and go from there.
If your friend who is helping you to put this thing together is a properly experienced technician, he should be able to do many of the procedures that the manual would spell out in a step by step regiment. You quoted statement above, doesn't inspire loads of confidence in his abilities in my mind however.
In any event, put it together, do a test recording and lets see where you stand from there.
Cheers!