I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to simply reverse the install sequence until you have all the bolts at the lowest torque number for stock bolts (back the torque off in the reverse of the recommended install sequence). Take them all down in steps, just like you were installing the stock bolts, only in reverse, but stop at the lowest torque value. Then remove one bolt at a time, replace it with a stud, and torque it to the lowest value in the stock sequence. When you have all the bolts replaced with studs, and torqued to the first value in the stock bolt sequence, follow the stock torque sequence, using the same values that you would with bolts. Then, after completing the stock sequence, finish by bringing them up gradually to the recommended torque for studs.
I know this is a lot of work, and it sounds like over-kill, but it seems like this would reduce the chance of cracking a head as well as breaking a small section of the previous head gasket seal.
Any comments?