Oh and food for thought. I have NEVER IN MY LIFE torqued a valve cover or even thought about it. Been turning wrenches since 1974. I do however tighten from the inside out.
The initial install was by hand and from the inside out (I was on the same page as yourself). Drivers side is fine, and I looked for proper torque to correct the passenger side, and it was a disaster ………. Going back to feel, and touch.