I think your over complicating the reply there mate but your right in wot your saying .
I think the reply your looking for mate is No you can not lock the cams like a zetec motor you will have to reset all the timing when you remove the pullys . The best thing you can do is get the Big blue book it will tell you 100% how to do it it's very simple. Do not turn the key till your 100% it's timed right as you will bend all the valves if your rong