[DHZIEMAN]

From observing my dad, a mechanic from the era of all cast iron engines, he would start with a cold engine, loosen and then retighten in ft/lb steps to get to the proper ft/lbs. That meant he would do the pattern recommended by the engine manufacturer, but do it in steps of ft/lbs to get to the right ft/lbs for each stud. Just to add to the confusion! And on a model A Ford, A healthy crows foot is handy for the distributor blocked head bolt nut.