I don't think the secondary idle bleeds had anything to do with your solution.....I think adjusting the mixture screws probably did it.
The secondary bleeds are fast idle bleeds.....probably not at all used when starting the car and letting it idle. Also, removing the bleeds totally would make a more lean condition. The orifice in the air bleed meters how much air enters.....when you make that hole big, you're allowing a lot more air to get in. That's getting leaner.
Glad you're up and running though. Little problems like this tend to get under your skin....
