Yes crank pulley, it is well strong enough to hold the engine weight.
Don't have any hesitations just get under there and do it. It is rather simple once you get working on it.

 

If you use the crank pulley you are crazy i just replaced a guys motor because he did that to change oil pan and it bent the crank nose $2000 new motor ,oilpan will hold just make sure the 2x4 is long enough to go across pan.You can even put 2x4 up to side of heads and jack up use a tree as make shift hoist with come along.If you doubt pan will hold wieght look how people store motors on ground sitting on pan small area to sit on pans are just fine.