The blowing out straight across was a coincidence. possibilities: warped head or block, block threads not clean giving an improper torque reading, bolts bottoming out, defective gasket, improper torque sequence/amt, bolt threads dirty/nicked giving improper torque reading (as above not enough clamping force but the torque wrench shows enough), block/head surfaces not clean (debris)

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth