"Is there any way, by looking at the engine, to tell if it's a B18D TY.1, TY2 or TY.3?"

I'm thinking you can actually do this... with a little work. :-)

1 - Get the first 6 digits of the engine number from the left side of the block (the first 4 of those 6 digits should be 4968 if it's a B18).

2 - With that info in hand, go to the German Volvo-Classic website, where you will find a list of engine numbers, and the matching engine type and vehicle for each 6 digit number, as originally installed. Also listed is the SAE horsepower rating of each installation, which you will carry to step 3. Note - this chart shows engine "type" as B18A, B18B, or B18D, which is a little confusing at this point, but bear with me...

3 - Using the info in the B18B/D engine shop manual matrix (B18B types 1, 2 or 3 and B18D types 1, 2 or 3 vs horsepower ratings), plug in the engine hp rating obtained in step 2. Voila! Engine type 1, 2, or 3!

One caveat - if you find (in step 2) that your engine was 100 hp, be sure you make note (in step 2) as to B18B vs B18D. There are two distinct 100 hp B18's listed in the B18B/D shop manual matrix... a B18B type 1 used in the early P1800 and a B18D type 3 used in most Amazons.

Of course, when you're all done, the only thing you actually know is the engine type originally associated with your engine block. Obviously, many of these engines have been swapped around and rebuilt/mixed over the past 40 or 45 years.
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Gary L - 1971 142E ITB racer, 73 1800ES, 02 S60 T5
BlueBrick Racing