[Frank Miller]

My two cents. If the threads stripped then they were compromised before you even started. My experience has shown that you're more likely to brak a bolt with good threads than to strip the threads. I'll use a torque wrench on a head or intake but not on a waterpump. Once you feel the bolt tightened and add and 1/8 to a quarter turn you're good. Many newer vehicle specs call for an initial tightening plus a certain number of degrees rotation. This will keep the tension uniform and negate any difference in use of lubricants.