[Brian]

do I need to apply gear grease to both sides of gasket?


You don't need to, but I do!


Does this then make removal pf heads easier, down the road?



it most certainly does; I coat each head stud with anti seize also, this also helps immeasurably!


Does the gear grease improve the seal?




Yes, as you torque down the head[s], the grease allows the surfaces to slide as they settle into position, also, any grease that oozes into combustion chamber is easily assimilated during combustion, unlike some other 'gasket sealers'.