thanks guys. I do have the metal tube that for the starter solenoid wiring to pass down towards the starter.

so this cloth insulator was used on the battery cable going to the starter? also on the solenoid wires going down through the tube? Anywhere else, like wires running on top of the engine to the alternator/temp sender area?

the loom on my car was very hacked up when I got it so I have no reference there. Possibly the most amusing of all the goofy things I've found that someone did to my car is the 3 conductor house lamp wire that was being used for the starter solenoid.