I think this kind of boils down to one of those common sense things. When using a puller, the practice of placing the flywheel nut back on the crankshaft (albeit not tight) will keep the flywheel from flying off at warp speed once it breaks free from the puller tool. As far as using a hammer, I'm not too keen on that idea as I think it will dink up the metal, hence my use of a dead-blow hammer.



B

 

my 3 pound deadblow hammer is the king.

 

I've only seen dents like that in engines with improper end play.

 

I use a 15 lbs + log of firewood. Works like a charm each time. I learned it form Vosko.

 

That damage is called brinelling, as in Brinell hardness testing where a pointed tool is dimpled into the metal at a prescribed pressure and the depth indicating hardness. Use a puller instead.

Barry