[johnsma22]

That's the same kit I have. I installed mine back in 2005 and had similar issues. As you found out, the turnbuckle is absolutely useless as an adjustment for the belt tension. All it does is move the alternator back and forth in the same plane without ever effecting the tension of the belt one way or the other.

The only way I've found to get the belt tight was to have someone apply downward force on the idler pulley to get the the proper tension while I tightened up the bolt. I also changed the washers for the mounting bolt on the idler to something thicker as the original washers were deforming when I cinched the bolt down hard.

Having said all that, I do recall having to get a shorter belt than what the kit recommended. I can't recall off the top of my head what the length was, but I remember getting a couple of belts of differing lengths shorter than the recommend one and then returned the ones I didn't use once I found the right one. I think I chose a length that caused the idler to give the correct tension midway in the slot. I've only had to adjust it a couple of times over the last 5 seasons. It's due to be tightened again this spring as it was squealing a little last year under hard acceleration. Hope you get it sorted.