technique to sealing a oil pan on a 360?

You guys keep saying to torque the pan gasket? The small block specs say to torque the oil pan to 15 ft lb don't you guys think thats a little high most torque wrenches don't go to 15 ft lb the ones i own any way. I have a inch torque wrench so, what would 15 ft lb equate to in inch pounds? the point that I'm tryingto make is i was always told to just tighten the oil pan to just past snug? any suggestions or comments?