Why remove Studs first

[John Jensen]

I'm just in the middle of taking my head off of my Atomic Four. I'm doing it because I had little or no compression in two adjacent cylinders. On inspection the valves all seemed to be moving up and down smoothly with good clearances to the lifters, so I figured it might be the head gasket. According to the overhaul book, I should remove the studs before trying to pry off the head. I'm wondering why.
It seems that if I pry off the head first I could then remove the studs using a vice grip and save the cost of the stud removing too. I'm guessing there is a good reason, but I don't know what it is.
John Jensen, who has an Atomic 4 engine
in a '62 Tartan 27.

[tenders]

I believe I've had my engine's head off twice and for sure I never had to touch a stud. You loosen the head by gently tapping a paint scraper all the way around between the head and the block, and then lift the head up over the studs. If you head hasn't been off in a really long time this might not be possible and the studs have to come out.

[rigspelt]

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2214

[John Jensen]

Great response! I've been led to some other, older threads, and see now that I can proceedwithout removing the studs.
Thanks for the good advice. I'll be reporting in as the project develops. Best wishes for the holiday season
John Jensen and the Tartan 27.