however its talbot then

some use simca engines (so god knows)

and some use xu style engines so be should fit

The Simca engine is the same as the Talbot engine being the only non over head cam engine fitted to a peugeot car, its basically the Simca 1000 engine but turning clockwise.

My understanding is

1.1 (france and europe) and 1.3 (uk) talbot engines used be1 and be3 gearbox's with different bell housing to the 1.6, 1.9 and diesels that had be1 and be3 gearbox's same as the 205

But the Tu series (stands vertical with exhaust manifold at front of the engine) used the ma gearbox

My experience is that a good be gearbox is stronger than a ma gearbox

yes ma boxes are made of cheese. be are much stronger.

well thats bollocks.

1118cc/1294cc = XV/XY i think: OHV, exhaust to rear

1124cc/1360cc = TU: SOHC, exhaust to front

lol they also did a 1294 tu ally block iirc running on a carb. very rare im guessing though. and as said this is servicebox so will be peugeot, not talbot.

same bottom end as the 106 rallye then, wouldn't mind seeing one of these rare beasts if they do exist

maybe yes, but obviously with different internals as the rallye pistons were very high compression.