thanks for the feedback...
I checked the routing (on mine the diagram is under the decklid.)
My next step is to see if the old belt will go back on. If it doesn't then something else has changed. Since I didn't remove any other components, it should go right back on.
You're right, my bad - Clockwise. I was standing underneath the car with a pull bar on the tensioner. I am turning the tensioner the same direction as the arrow. I have tried to put this belt on from underneath the car and from above (while standing on the lift). I can rotate the tensioner almost 45 degrees which shifts the wheel over an inch. You would think this would be enough.
As you know, there is not much room to play in there, I wonder if the belt may be hanging up on something.
Time to get dirty again.
Thanks, Jimmy
------------------
1987 coupe; Blue; 2.5L; 5spd