adjustable cam gears

[Belteshazzar]

what's the point of this when they're not indexed?

I just notice while changing my valvecover gasket, mine weren't always bolted down in the same place they are now.  I can see where the varnish isn't, that they used to be more retarded(i think).  The bolts seemed tight and the motor runs good.  Should I be nervous?  How do you know they're right?

I hate taking off that valvecover again, for one it's hard to get back on past the wire harness and coils, and for two i've already got 4 stripped valvecover bolts.

[kowalski]

leave it if it runs fine. you can play around a little bit to gain tq loos hp, or gain hp and loose tq.

[Hondo]

I almost wonder if this helps make timing chain installation and "tensioning" easier. I'm not 100 percent on this, but my 2.8 Audi was this way: If you hold the crank stationary, hold the cams stationary, install the chain (on audi it's a belt), then loosen the cam gears, apply the tensioner to the chain/belt, the chain/belt will tension correctly and uniformly and the cam gears being somewhat loose will help facilitate that process. You then tighten the gears, take out the crank pin and cam holder, and you should be done.
If you take out either the crank pin or cam holder and THEN loosen those gears, it would change the timing, no?