head bolt torque

Outlaw, the reason for more smaller steps is to even out the clamping forces. The testing I did was with bolts at P&W were all strain gaged to actually measure the clamping force being provided by the bolt. There was definately an improvement in the distribution of clamping force from bolt to bolt when they were torqued in smaller increments. You are likely correct that 3 steps will get the job done but I see it as a no cost way of doing a better job.

F