EXHIBIT 5.1

                                THOMPSON HINE LLP
                           2000 Courthouse Plaza, N.E.
                              10 West Second Street
                             Dayton, Ohio 45402-1758

                                August 28, 2002


Amcast Industrial Corporation
7887 Washington Village Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45459

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Amcast Industrial Corporation, an Ohio corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8
covering 100,000 Common Shares of the Company to be offered and sold under the
Company's Amended and Restated 1999 Director Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Registration Statement").

Please be advised that we have examined such proceedings and records of the
Company and have made investigation of such other matters, as in our judgment
permit us to render an informed opinion on the matters set forth herein.

Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Common Shares of the
Company offered under the Plan have been duly authorized and, when issued in
accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

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

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               /s/ Thompson Hine LLP