No problem. If you feel happier with a lower torque setting on the outer row then go with it. There seems to be many recommended figures for the outer row, you can take your pick. IIRC I did mine to 45lb ft, on the two engines I have in use now, with no issues.
It would be nice if the leak stopped and you avoided a strip down, particularly as an issue with a threaded hole is not going to be an easy fix.
Of course the water could be tracking along a flaw in the gasket and finding its way out. If the cooling system is not being pressurised by combustion gasses then it is worth trying a low tech fix.