My hat is off to you, sir. I once torched a bearing off a rear axle on a 66 Chevy. then I still had to take the axle to a press to get the new one on. isn't it fun to learn?
I have an ol d VS White where I suspect some heavy handed person put a puller on the rim of the balance wheel to try to get it off. Of coure, it broke. Glad you are so patient.