Ok scream and shout now to get it over with. I do know of a way to re-time screws but it is not of the best practice though also not damaging to the screws or their mounting positions. I have used this method occasionally on guns and other restoration projects and it works almost too well for its simplicity.
It is a little tricky to get right first time but after a little practice you will become proficient. So lets say it is not a permanent repair though some have lasted for forty years.
And what is this well kept secret method? Wire wool strands wrapped around the screw under the head using a washer on the screws shank to create a winding space. Add or remove strands of wire to create the correct timing. And when the screw is finally tightened down the wire compresses and becomes a solid mass, in fact as solid as a correct depth washer. There are many ways to solve a problem and not all are obvious or liked but they work.
