$1000 for the water pump....I think we spent 3K on the timing belt deal for the V6 Honda, but he did replace the water pump a proactive measure since the whole front of the engine was torn apart to get to the friggin belt. Sure wish they had chains like the 4 bangers do.
Re the V-10 Ford...I think I will shop for the AFM delete plug-in for the GMC. $100 or less to maybe prevent the lifter catastrophe.
These discussions have reminded me to put it in manual shift 7th gear to putt around town--that deactivates the cylinder shutdown. For awhile I was driving around in 9th gear even at interstate speeds. Had read that some people actually got better mpg doing so, but I kinda quit doing that.