Can a thrust bearing be changed with the engine in the car? (318)

if you can move it 1/4 of an inch theres most likely not much thrust bearing left , the reason for its wear is it a manual trans or was the clutch every time you push the peddle adds to the wear of the thrust bearing , a hard shifting automatic will cause some extra wear or just a plain tired motor ... top of the rod bearings an bottom of the mains wear most .... dont tap one in with a hammer or any thing .take a screw tap the head flat to the crank cause that hole in the crank is not drilled straight through ( might even have to grind the head so it thin enough to push the bearing out bye turning the crank it real easy once the pans off ( i use to use small black screw from like a interior very short an have a thin head already )but having a 1/4 inch of play i would inspect the crank an block real well for wear .... have fun it not all that hard