“One reason is because all the shop manuals specify torque settings, and mention nothing about degrees of rotation. The MB shop books all show the "manual" type torque wrenches, just for what it's worth.”
I don’t know what manual you are reading but my hard copy MBZ manuals all specify angle of rotation for critical joints such as head bolts bearings ect
The FAA specifically recommends against the use of click type wrenches for aircraft use I can look it upand quote chapter and verce. They do prefer the use of the new model TES or equivalent such as the snap on direct reading torqometer wrench it can be held at any angle without affecting accuracy because of this and other factors they are preferred over beam type torque wrenches. I don’t know about big jet engines but on small planes torque means just about didily squat for critical joints. Who cars if your bolt is torqued on at 800 ft lbs if your clamping pressure is 0 lbs it will simply fly apart no matter how much torque is on the bolt if it has no clamping pressure which is what degrees of rotation and stretch to fit bolts assures you.
Dave S