Why did the exhaust pipe on the Ford Y-block V8 cross over in front of the engine?

I don't know, but as little as I had to do with 'em back then I STILL MANAGED TO BURN MY ARM at least a few times!!!

I guess there was lots of underhood clearance, and it seemed like a simple solution at the time. After all, we are talking about the people who brought us the Edsel and the Pintoed