[Lee]

I started using a stretch gauge about 25 years ago. Some of the bolts can be REALLY tricky to get to, with only about 1/4-turn possible without repositioning the wrench. And unless you are a gorilla, you are NOT going to get the proper stretch with a normal boxed-end wrench! I've got some extra-long Snap-On box-end wrenches I use, and still have to wrap rags around the end to keep from making my hands sore.

I've refined my technique over the years. I now measure a rod bolt, remove the gauge and torque it to (for example) 50 - then remeasure the rod length. Then add 5 and repeat until I get the desired stretch. Once I've determined what the magic torque number is, I repeat for another rod bolt - but I again measure the rod before and after to verify. I check every bolt that way, and tweak the magic number as needed as I go along.