OMC V8 Temp Sensor wire routing

[StormRider01]

I pulled the engine wiring harness today from my 88 OMC V8 (originally a 5.0 gm, previous owner replaced the block w/ a 5.7 truck motor) because all of the exposed wire ends were badly cracked and corroded. good news is the wires by the main plug are in good shape, so I'll be able to rebuild the harness. The only odd thing I found was the water temp sensor wire is routed past the starter, under the exhaust, back up the front of the block to the sensor on the intake manifold.

Is there a good reason why it's run like that? I'm not a fan of wires I can't see, and rather would route it over the top of the block.