Removing dowel steering shaft

First off Happy New Year everyone! Have my steering box out of my 65 Dart, sending it to Steer & Gear for rebuild. I'm replacing my gaskets and seals on steering column and need to remove the dowel on bottom of shaft. I've tried lubing it and hammering but that didn't work, worried about mushrooming the end of dowel. I'm getting ready to heat it up, is that the best way to remove? thanks

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