EXHIBIT 5

                           DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
                                One Logan Square
                             18th and Cherry Streets
                      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996

                                 April 27, 2001



Selas Corporation of America
2034 Limekiln Pike
Dresher, Pennsylvania  19025

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel to Selas Corporation of America (the
"Company") in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating
to common shares of the Company, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"),
issuable upon the exercise of options granted under the Company's 2001 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan").

                  In this capacity, we have reviewed originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Company's articles
of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended to date, resolutions adopted by its
board of directors, the Plan, and such other agreements, instruments, documents
and records relating to the Company and the issuance of the Shares as we have
deemed appropriate for the purpose of giving this opinion. In all such
examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of signatures, authenticity of
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original
documents of documents submitted to us as copies and the accuracy and
completeness of all records and other information made available to us by the
Company. As to various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied
on representations of officers of the Company.

                  We express no opinion concerning any laws of any jurisdiction
other than the corporation laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

                  Based upon the foregoing and consideration of such questions
of law as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the issuance of
the Shares by the Company upon the exercise of options properly granted under
the Plan has been duly authorized by a necessary corporate action on the part of
the Company, and the Shares, upon exercise of such options and payment therefor
in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable by the Company.






                  We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

                                            DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP