Cometic Gasket C15549-052 Ford 5.0L Gen-3 Coyote .052in MLX Head Gasket LHS 94.5

Vehicle Fitment

• 2018-2023 Ford Mustang GT (5.0L Gen-3 Coyote V8) - LEFT-HAND SIDE
• 2018-2023 Ford Mustang GT Premium (5.0L Gen-3 Coyote V8) - LEFT-HAND SIDE
• 2019-2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt (5.0L Gen-3 Coyote V8) - LEFT-HAND SIDE
• 2021-2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (5.0L Gen-3 Coyote V8) - LEFT-HAND SIDE

Fitment Notes

• LEFT-HAND SIDE (LHS/Driver Side) ONLY - the Ford 5.0L Gen-3 Coyote V8 requires two head gaskets per engine; for the RIGHT-HAND SIDE use Cometic C15548-052
• Fits Gen-3 Coyote (2018-present) ONLY - do NOT use for Gen-1 Coyote (2011-2014) or Gen-2 Coyote (2015-2017); these generations use different gaskets due to head and block differences. Gen-2 LHS equivalent is C15366-051
• Bore diameter: 94.5mm - matches the Gen-3 Coyote's slightly larger bore vs. Gen-1/Gen-2 (94mm); confirm bore if the block has been bored
• Gasket type: MLX (Multi-Layer Xtreme) - integrates a fold-over stopper/HP shim layer at the combustion bore for higher localized clamping stress; especially important for the Gen-3 Coyote's open-deck block design where head sealing is more challenging
• Compressed thickness: .052 in. (1.32mm) - thicker than the .040 in. variant; used to reduce compression ratio or accommodate head/block deck height differences in builds using thicker head gaskets for CR management
• Orientation: Left (LHS) - directional gasket; bolt hole pattern and coolant passage locations differ between LHS and RHS
• Installs dry - no additional sealants or copper spray required or recommended
• No re-torque required after initial head bolt torque sequence
• Cylinder head and block surface finish recommendation: Ra 50 (2 µin.) or better
• Sold individually - one gasket per package; two required per engine (1 LHS + 1 RHS)

Features

• Cometic MLX (Multi-Layer Xtreme) construction - 3 layers of stainless steel with an integrated HP shim/stopper fold-over layer at the combustion bore perimeter; the stopper layer increases localized clamp load at the combustion seal specifically to address the Gen-3 Coyote's open-deck block, which has inherently lower head bolt clamp stiffness than a closed-deck design
• HP shim technology engineered for the Gen-3 Coyote platform - produces a more robust combustion seal that can withstand elevated cylinder pressures from increased boost, higher compression, or aggressive power adders
• Outer layers embossed and coated with Viton (FKM) fluoroelastomer rubber - micro-seals coolant and oil passages; heat resistant to 250°C (482°F)
• PTFE topcoat on outer layers provides additional resistance to fretting and improves cold sealing performance
• Load-controlled embossments distribute clamping force evenly across the full sealing surface - reduces bore distortion for better ring seal and cylinder geometry maintenance
• Aluminum-head-to-aluminum-block design - fully compatible with the Gen-3 Coyote's all-aluminum construction; withstands thermal cycling and differential expansion
• No sealant required, no re-torque required

Specifications

• Part Number: C15549-052
• UPC: 191070573577
• Material: MLX (Multi-Layer Xtreme)
• Number of Layers: 3 (with integrated HP shim/stopper fold-over layer)
• Compressed Thickness: .052 in. (1.32mm)
• Bore Size: 94.5mm
• Bore Shape: Round
• Outer Layer Coating: Viton (FKM) Fluoroelastomer + PTFE Topcoat
• Orientation: Left (LHS - Driver Side)
• Engine Compatibility: Ford 5.0L Gen-3 Coyote Modular V8 (2018-present)
• Companion RHS Gasket: C15548-052
• Sealant Required: No
• Re-Torque Required: No
• Quantity: Sold individually (1 gasket per package; 2 required per engine - 1 LHS + 1 RHS)

Included Components

• 1x Cometic MLX Cylinder Head Gasket - Left-Hand Side (94.5mm bore, .052 in. compressed thickness)

Product Description

The Cometic C15549-052 is an MLX (Multi-Layer Xtreme) cylinder head gasket engineered specifically for the Ford 5.0L Gen-3 Coyote Modular V8 (2018-present) at 94.5mm bore, .052 in. compressed thickness - LEFT-HAND SIDE (driver side) only. It fits the 2018-2023 Mustang GT and GT Premium, 2019-2020 Mustang Bullitt, and 2021-2023 Mustang Mach 1. The .052 in. thickness is typically selected for compression ratio reduction in boosted or high-compression builds, or to accommodate specific deck height requirements in engine builds where a thicker gasket is needed to achieve target compression.

Cometic specifically developed the MLX gasket with an integrated HP shim/stopper layer for the Gen-3 Coyote's open-deck block architecture. Open-deck blocks present a more demanding head gasket environment than closed-deck designs because the cylinder bores lack lateral support around the combustion chamber perimeter, reducing the stiffness of the clamped joint. The stopper layer concentrates clamping load precisely at the combustion seal bore, compensating for this reduced structural support and delivering a reliable, blow-out-resistant seal even under elevated boost or high cylinder pressures. The companion right-hand side gasket is C15548-052. One LHS and one RHS gasket are required per complete engine.