Thanks duxthe1.
That's what I planned to do if I damaged or pulled off the pan gasket. I ordered a an oil pan gasket just for that eventuality.
Isn't there a good possibility of damaging the flywheel or the teeth on it by blocking it? I hear of people using a piece of wood or a prybar in there. Seems risky to me. What I made (actually made it for another hub on a volvo) is a flat Aluminum bar, 2" wide x 1/4" thick x 14" long. It has two holes drilled that luckily match up to two of the hub bolt holes on the benz (with one hole between) and a semi circular cut-out to access the bolt with an impact socket and 3 ft. breaker. The holder is propped horizontally on a jack stand. I plan on using a long pipe on the breaker for max leverage. If I don't like how its going I may try the starter method. As a last resort I have a decent impact gun and a big compressor, but I dont like using an impact gun on a crankshaft.

I have a crank puller. One of my concerns is that I read that you have to heat up the hub in order to get it to fit back on. Also, when refitting it, does it bottom out when it's in all the way or do I have to measure it's depth to some precise degree?? Is it okay to tap it in with a mallet or is that not a good idea?

Thanks again