I am one of those people.
Jeff
'51 CJ3A
'47 CJ2A
Mike, with a Fel-Pro gasket it should be installed on a very clean surface, dry. A Fel-Pro will always be marked If it is critical for installation on direction and location. On yours I don't think it is marked "Top" or "Front". So the metallic side can go up or down, clean and dry.
If it is marked "This Side Up" then definitely install it that way. Fel-Pro's are always marked if it is critical to installation. The "Blue" is one of the colors they use. The grey composite is also used quite a bit.
Yup for sure Mike on a Genuine Fel-Pro they go on dry no sealers or they would indicate it.
You are sure right, there are a ton of "ideas" on how to install gaskets of various types on the internet. The "ideas" came from old guy's like me who during the course of our lives heard and were told to do many different things to the many types of gaskets, that were evolving. Things have changed dramatically and the old ideas only apply to the old gasket they were intended for. Nowadays I think you will find most premium gaskets are installed with nothing on them. Sealers on head gaskets are intended for metal shim style solid copper or steel gaskets (or maybe an internet "hack" to make a cheap gasket work for 15 minutes).