VM crank pulley

I'm hoping someone can help me here...... we have a VM lump sitting on a pallet in the stores and I need to get the crank pulley off, I've heard you need a pulley to get it off without breaking it? is this true? or will a big bar lever it off wothout doing any harm?

Oh and will a 2.4 VM crank pulley swap onto a 2.5 VM engine ok?

cheers in advance for any help