I have torqued lots of rod bolts and I think you are doing it the hard way.

Here's my routine, if you want it, keep reading!

1)Lube liberally all surfaces that touch any other surfaces, not just the threads, with ARP lube. It makes a difference in both torque and stretch stability values.

2) Use your dial gauge to measure length with no torque.

3) Remove the gauge, set it aside carefully.

4) Torque the bolts up to about 70 lbs in 10 lbs increments, swapping sides each time. Use a high quality 1/2 drive torque wrench.

5) Recheck length with gauge and then remove, etc, increasing torque until you get to the desired stretch.

Leaving the gauge in place and using a 2 ft long wrench is asking for misery. It's also fairly dangerous.

I know what you'll say - taking the gauge off is inviting inaccuracy. But, once you do it a few times you'll realize the gauge is stable enough it is staying accurate.

I also don't agree that you need or want previously un-stretched bolts....if you torque and loosen those bolts five times you'll find they take a 'set' and eventually settle down to a repeatable stretch. That tells me their initial stretch, if that's all you do, is going to relax after a while.