Ahhhh there's a nugget that slipped from memory. "Cantilever brakes".

Cantilever, V, U..... They are different but at a glance the mounting post looks the same but the location/reach would be different.

Looks like the easiest route is to just keep it @ 26" even though I'm intrigues by the project enough to actually consider asking a friend to whip out a set of brake arms on his milling machine (was even ready to try to source a bushing of some sort for monting them on the pillar). Looks like i can put together a bike that is mechanically superior to the walmart specials and at least as good as the stuff at Dicks for a shade over $100 out of pocket if i truly need to buy the stuff i havent found in my parts piles yet. Only question is whether I strip and paint the frame. Nearest co-op is about 80 miles round trip, but i may still check them out. Have to see what they require for volunteer mechanic. It may or may not work out to give them some time.

Thanks for the replies and skydog - appologies again....