Ironhead - the California Q-Jets are not generally the optimal unit to modify, as many of them have massive airbleeds.
Reducing tension may have worked for you in this instance, but the fact that it did work may be indicative of other problems. Generally, reducing the secondary airvalve tension will create a "hesitation".
Play with this one until you receive and read Cliff's book, but I think you may wish to later do some ebay shopping for a different starting point. The Federal carburetors tend to have smaller airbleeds than their California cousins, and the mid to late 1970's Chevy cores are not that expensive.
Jon.
